“I wanted to be world champion.” Drew Bell got what he trained for
MADISON – The culmination of hard work and years of planning turned into hardware for Madison’s Drew Bell. The longtime educator and recent retired high school coach, who will turn age 60 on Nov. 5, was a top three medal winner in each of six races he participated in at the Huntsman World Senior Games, the largest annual multi-sport event in the world for athletes 50 and over.
“I trained to win and I knew I was ready as I took each race one at a time,” said Bell after his triumph at the competition where he said he listened to his body, showed patience and coached himself just as he did for the thousands of student-athletes he coached over a 36-year career as a coach including the last 12 at James Clemens High. “Winning was the main reason I went out for the competition.”
Held in St. George, Utah, located in the Southwest portion of the state near Snow Canyon State Park, the World Senior Games featured 12,000 athletes representing 96 countries participating in more than 40 sports including track and field and road races.
Bell returned from the gut-wrenching competition with one gold, three silver and two bronze medals. He finished in the top three in each of his scheduled events with his gold medal performance in what was his final competitive event the 10K in the 60-64 age division. His winning time was 42 minutes, 13.9 seconds outgunning runner- up Randi Ahi who posted a time of 46:19.1.
“It was terrible weather day with temperatures in the low 40’s and light rain falling,” said Bell. “I went out on a six-minute mile and soon five of us went out front of the rest of the racers. With about four and-a-half miles remaining, I decided I wasn’t going to leave this out there and I took off and used my training of perfect range of motion with my arms and legs as quick as I could. I admit I had fear with about a half-mile remaining and I fought off that feeling. I soon had faith, not fear.”
Bell came across the finish line over four minutes sooner than his nearest competitor. He achieved his goal, which for him began late last year with all of his preparation geared towards this world competition among the top athletes the world can muster. Bell has deep religious faith and knows he was not alone as he crossed the finish line in Utah. “I am the world champion, but the title is really not me, but God,” he added.
In preparation for the World Senior Games, Bell set a goal of earning All-World (top eight) in each event, but he knew his faith in God had different plans. Feeling an extra lift in his spirit, Bell not only set his goal, but shattered that goal to smithereens by winning a medal in each of his efforts.
Bell competed in the two-week event Oct. 6, 7, 8, 11, 13 and 15. He indicated he needed the break after his first three races and the time away from the competitive edge rejuvenated his body for his last three races.
His finish results included: 1,500-meter, Silver- 5:31.59 800-meter, Silver- 2:36.44 3,000-meter, Bronze- 11:55.96 5K Trail Run, Bronze- 24:07.9 5K Run, Silver- 20:41.0 10K Run, Gold- 42:13.8 “Going into the last race, I didn’t want to finish second. I wanted to be World Champion,” said Bell, who returned home and immediately participated in and won the overall championship in the Wade Mountain 10K and won his age group in the annual fundraiser Liz Hurley Ribbon Run. He will take a few weeks off from his constant running routine to attend his daughter’s wedding held in Miami.
