Jared Bell - Deering HS
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most? I would have to say that the New England championship meet was pretty special for me. That meet was truly a culmination of all the preparation and hard work that I’ve dedicated to this sport. To see everything come together at this one meet was an amazing moment and something that I was certainly proud of and will remember for years to come.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school? There are several things I would have done differently about my high school track and field career. Most significantly, I would have started to focus on track much earlier in high school. I picked up a discus just over a year ago and my 2013 outdoor season was my only full season participating in all three of the throwing events. It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if I had started the process my freshman year instead of my senior year.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome? Throwing can be extremely frustrating. Overcoming bad practices and nagging injuries are always present in any sport. Although, I’d have to say that my biggest obstacle was the lack of facilities available for myself and my teammates to train. My indoor shot put circle was removed by Deering High School’s athletic department and I was forced to throw off the gym floor all season during practice. The outdoor season wasn't much better. I was unable to practice at Fitzpatrick Stadium because vehicles were parked in the throwing sector and there was no effort made to have them removed. I was forced to practice at alternate facilities, such as Falmouth, on my own time.
What will you miss the most? There are many aspects of this sport that I will greatly miss. The camaraderie amongst all the track athletes is strong and I’ll definitely miss the guys I’ve been throwing with and competing against these past few years.
What advice you would give to younger athletes? The best advice I could give a young athlete is to work hard. Working hard certainly goes a long way in this sport, as with all sports. As another suggestion, I would encourage any athlete to pick an event that they liked rather than the one that they’re best at. You’re more inclined to succeed in something that you have a passion for.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals? My coaches have been so amazing and supportive. For the first three years, 
What are your college plans? I am attending Princeton University this fall where I will be a member of their track and field team. I will be competing in multiple throwing events and I am grateful and excited for another four years of track at the collegiate level.
Who would you like to say thank you to? Firstly, I would like to say thank you to my dad. My dad has been the most supportive and caring father. Together, we have spent countless hours educating ourselves on the technique and form for each of the throwing events. We have learned the sport together and he has coached me more than anyone. Without him I would not be where I am and I am very grateful for all that he has done for me. Also, I would like to say a big thank you to my sister. She’s not just my sister, she’s my best friend. I am so thankful for the special relationship that we have and her support has meant so much to me. Thank you Dad and Melissa for everything you two have done for me. My words cannot even fully convey how much I love and appreciate you both.
Personal Bests
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Discus 177-0
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Javelin 166-7
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Shot Put 58-10