Drew Bell earns All-American honors at National Championships

MADISON – The summer of 2025 will be incredibly memorable for Drew Bell of Madison. In mid-July, the 59-year old earned eight All-American finishes, claimed four medals, two national championships and one runner-up at the USATF Masters Outdoor Track & Field Nationals held at Milton Frank Stadium in Huntsville. Three days after the completion of his extraordinary performance in Huntsville, Bell traveled to Iowa for his next mission of fulfilling his quest as an athlete who performs his best, all while giving Glory to God.

“I thank God, my Lord and Savior, for allowing me to compete in two National Championship events, back-to-back, which included 13 races where I finished All-American 10 times,” said Bell. “I prayed a lot as Faith will carry you a long time.”

At the Senior Nationals, Bell finished ninth in his first three events of the 5K, 1-Mile and 10K over a three-day period. His time in the 5K was 20-minutes, 59-seconds, in the 1-Mile a 6:05.43 and a 46:38 in the 10K road race. After a fiveday break, he earned his first Nationals All-American status with his second fastest time of the year of 2:32.03 in the 800-meter. On his fifth day of competing, Bell set his fastest time of the year in the 1,500 at 5:22.31, again earning an All-American status.

Not only are Bell’s achievements remarkable, but how he conquered an injury to compete at such a high level of competition, which featured 40 competitors in each race, is astonishing. Bell strained his right hamstring during the Huntsville meet and fought through the pain and discomfort to complete that national event. With three days before the Iowa competition, Bell spent several hours a day treating his injury not knowing if he would be able compete against some of the best in the country.

“I had thoughts about my hamstring become a tear and not just a strain, but I was assured by a massage therapist I should be ok to run in Iowa,” added Bell. “I really wanted to go the Nationals to be there competing with my friends.”

Arriving in the Capitol of Iowa, Bell fought his hamstring discomfort in his first three days and events and arriving back to his hotel seriously considered flying home without completing his intended race schedule, but through his prayers and reconsidering his thought process, chose to remain at the hotel and work on his injury situation. There was a five-day break between his first three events and the last two awaiting his efforts. What would normally be a six to eight-week recovery, Bell used his Faith in God and around the clock rehabilitation, which included weights, stretching, elliptical workouts, utilizing a massage therapist, ice bath, whirlpool and an air compression booth, he was able to make his way to the start line of his next scheduled race.

“I had two wraps on my leg. It wasn’t pretty, but I felt I had a chance,” said Bell. “I met with the massage therapist and their techniques helped a lot. I feel I got the job done and had fun while doing it.

At the end of the 2024-2025 school year, Bell retired after 36 years as a coach, including 12 years as the track and field head coach at James Clemens. With the most recent school year now underway he remains a teacher with the Madison City Schools in his 37th year as an educator and will continue to compete on the national level as long as possible.

“I feel mission accomplished after eight months of preparation,” added Bell. “Be present where your feet are. Don’t look ahead. Plus, I’ve got to learn to give my body rest and have recovery time.”