Bell looking for continued success at district track meet

With the District 7-6A meet set for Monday and Tuesday at Coppell High school, the L.D. Bell boys and girls track teams look to prove why they’re among of the best around.

Field events begin at 2:30 while running events start at 5 and 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Due to a weather-shortened season, the squads didn't compete until spring break, where they participated in three different events.

Both teams were third out of 14 during the CFB Relays; the boys won at Saginaw while girls were runner-up, and both won the Prairie Relays out of eight teams.

“We have several athletes who have really good efforts this year and we're hoping we'll have a good district meet and advance on to area,” coach Gerald Smith said.

Bell has an array of talented athletes, including four seniors on the boys team and three seniors for the girls.

saiah McBride is expected to have a great showing. He looks to do well in the 100 meter race, the 4x100 and 4x200 relays and in the long jump. He's recorded a 10.7 in the 100 and 22 feet, 9 inches in the long jump.

David Dorsett will be the primary go-getter in the shot put (49 feet, 6 inches) and discus while Simeon Konneh and Elier Gonzalez look to top the field in the various runs and hurdles, respectively.

The Bell boys will also showcase juniors Jaylin Brooks (triple jump), Cordell Rodriguez (pole vault), Sutton Stanfield (pole vault), Ryan Linton (200) and sophomore Ricky Walton (4x100, 4x200).

On the girls side, Maddie Telford is expected to compete in five events; high jump (5 feet), pole vault (11 feet), 100 hurdles (14.86), 300 hurdles (48.3) and 4x400. Fellow seniors Melinda Gbollie and Anna Hafoka are expected to do well in the throwing events. Sophomore Anisha Garner (long jump, triple jump), junior Sidra Triplett (discus, shot put) and sophomore Alyssa Wallach (400, 800, 4x400) will also compete for the Lady Blue Raiders.

“Of course, every team is going to have ups and downs during the meet. The key is to minimize the downs at district,” Smith said.

“We finished off last week with a really strong meet at the Prairie Relays and feel really good about going into the district meet. There will be a lot of great performances and we are hoping to have our share of them.”

This story was originally published April 13, 2015 at 2:50 PM with the headline "Bell looking for continued success at district track meet."