Earl Bell
Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | [1] Ancón, Panama[1] | August 25, 1955
Height | 191 cm (6 ft 3 in)[2] |
Weight | 77 kg (170 lb) |
Sport | |
Sport | Athletics |
Event | Pole vault |
Club | Arkansas Razorbacks Pacific Coast Club, Long Beach[2] |
Coached by | Guy Kochel[3] |
Achievements and titles | |
Personal best | 5.87 m (1988)[1][2][4] |
Earl Holmes Bell (born August 25, 1955) is a retired American pole vaulter. He competed at the 1976, 1984 and 1988 Olympics and won a bronze medal in 1984, placing fourth in 1988 and sixth in 1976. In 1976 he also briefly held the world record. In retirement he coached several America's leading vaulters. In 2002 he was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.[1]
Biography
Bell was born in Panama to William K. Bell and Yola Zimmerman Bell. His father was a medical doctor and former pole vaulter who had attended the University of Arkansas. The family moved from Panama to Jonesboro, Arkansas in 1960, and in 1973 Bell entered the Arkansas State University. He graduated in 1988 with a BSc degree in accounting.[3] While attending Arkansas University, Bell won the NCAA title in 1975–77. He also won the AAU championships in 1976 and 1984, placing third in 1981. Besides Olympics, Bell won a gold medal at the 1975 Pan American Games and finished fifth in 1991.[2]
Bell came to the 1976 U.S. Olympic Trials as the world record holder. At the Trials he lent his pole to David Roberts, who broke his pole. Roberts won the Trials with a new world record,[5] and placed third at the Olympics, while Bell finished second and sixth, respectively.[2]
Coaching career
After retiring from competitions Bell established Bell Athletics outside of Jonesboro, where he coached Jeff Hartwig, Derek Miles, Kellie Suttle and Jillian Schwartz, among other top pole vaulters.[1][6]
Bell is married and has three children: Drew, Sam, and Henry.[3]
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.[7]
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
- ^ a b c d e Earl Bell. usatf.org
- ^ a b c d e Earl Bell. sports-reference.com
- ^ a b c d Hendricks, Nancy (2014) Earl Holmes Bell (1955–) in Encyclopedia of Arkansas
- ^ Earl Bell. trackfield.brinkster.net
- ^ Putnam , Pat (July 5, 1976) FLYING START TOWARD THE OLYMPICS. Sports Illustrated
- ^ Earl Bell. bellathletics.com
- ^ World Rankings Index — Men’s Pole Vault. Track and Field News
- 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 for the United States
- Pan American Games medalists in athletics (track and field)
- Goodwill Games medalists in athletics
- American track and field athletics Olympic medalist stubs