Earl Bell
Personal information | |
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Born | August 25, 1955 | (age 69)
Medal record |
Earl H. Bell (born August 25, 1955) is a former world record-holding pole vaulter from the United States, winner of the bronze medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics and current coach to a number of the nation's top men and women vaulters. He was born in Ancón, Panama Canal Zone and vaulted collegiately for Arkansas State University.
At his last Olympic appearance, Bell finished fourth at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. He held the world pole vaulting record for approximately a month in 1976 and set an American record of 19' 01⁄4" in San Jose, California in 1984.
In 2002, Bell was inducted into the USATF National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Coaching career
Bell established Bell Athletics outside of Jonesboro, Arkansas where he has coached Jeff Hartwig, Derek Miles, , Kellie Suttle and Jillian Schwartz, among other top pole vaulters.[1]
Rankings
Rare among vaulters, Bell managed to stay relatively healthy and productive for a long career, gaining US rankings among the best for 16 consecutive years in the Track and Field News annual rankings.[2]
Year | Event | World ranking | US ranking |
---|---|---|---|
1975 | Pole vault | 3rd | 1st |
1976 | Pole vault | 4th | 2nd |
1977 | Pole vault | 4th | 2nd |
1978 | Pole vault | - | 5th |
1979 | Pole vault | - | 5th |
1980 | Pole vault | - | 6th |
1981 | Pole vault | 6th | 1st |
1982 | Pole vault | - | 4th |
1983 | Pole vault | - | 3rd |
1984 | Pole vault | 7th | 2nd |
1985 | Pole vault | - | 4th |
1986 | Pole vault | 5th | 1st |
1987 | Pole vault | 3rd | 1st |
1988 | Pole vault | 5th | 2nd |
1989 | Pole vault | - | 5th |
1990 | Pole vault | - | 3rd |
References
External links
- USA Track & Field Hall of Fame: Earl Bell
- The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture: Earl Holmes Bell (1955–)
- 1955 births
- Living people
- American male pole vaulters
- Arkansas State University alumni
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1975 Pan American Games
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1976 Summer Olympics
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1984 Summer Olympics
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1988 Summer Olympics
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1991 Pan American Games
- Olympic track and field athletes of the United States
- Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in track and field
- Former world record holders in athletics (track and field)
- People from Panamá Province
- People from Jonesboro, Arkansas
- World record holders in masters athletics
- Medalists at the 1984 Summer Olympics
- Pan American Games gold medalists
- American track and field athletics Olympic medalist stubs