Bell football players find many benefits from competing in track

As the L.D. Bell football program attempts to rebuild, several players are finding track and field helpful in that pursuit.

No less than 11 varsity players and 21 junior varsity football players are on the varsity of coach Gerry Smith’s track program.

“Speed is like strength. There is no substitute for it,” said Blue Raiders football coach Mike Glaze. “So there is a direct correlation to it as far as speed development and conditioning. It also provides our athletes with another chance to compete outside of football season. We encourage all of our skill guys to run track.”

Smith echoed those thoughts, adding that he thinks it’s natural for football and track go hand-in-hand.

“There is something for all football players in track. The obvious is developing speed and power, especially for skilled positions like running back, receiver and defensive back, through the running events and jumps, but even the linemen can benefit from competing in the throwing events. They can develop explosive power and agile feet training for the shot put and discus,” Smith said.

“I am always trying to get our football players involved in track. I believe its beneficial to us all.”

Receiver/defensive back Christion Nealy said he noticed a distinct difference in his football game after his first year of running track four years ago. He participates in relays, along with the 200-meter dash and triple jump.

“I wasn’t getting tired as fast and was moving through everything quicker. Track helps you build up speed and endurance,” he said.

“I realized participating in track would be beneficial to football because it promotes my work ethic and helps me with my speed and strength,” quarterback Shaun Daniels added.

“The (football) team needs speed. Without speed, how are we going to make great and spectacular cuts and plays?” receiver/defensive back Markel Burnett said.

Daniels is a hurdler, long jumper and runs a leg of the 4x400 relay. Burnett runs relays and the 200.

Benefits from the track program appear to be more than just speed, however. While most are in running events, players such as Brendon Weatherspoon, Lazzerick Bowie and Eric Herron participate in the discus throw.

“The hip flexibility helps me stay low out of a stance,” said Weatherspoon, who plays left tackle and is in his second track season. “Plus, it helps me with my patience and my attention to detail.”

Herron is a defensive tackle and Bowie is a nose guard.

There is, however, more to track than simply helping them become better football players, though the benefits from that connection are attracting. Track is, like football, very competitive.

“I love the competition. It shows me that competing is the best way to get better,” Weatherspoon said. “My junior season of football I noticed the gains I got from track.”

“Watching Usain Bolt inspired me to want to be a sprinter,” said receiver Ricky Walton, who is in his third track season.

“I am a big believer that participating in track and field will improve you as an athlete for any sport,” Smith said. “I also believe since you compete in your events as an individual for the most part that it develops mental toughness and teaches kids how to compete against others and themselves. These are qualities you need for every sport. When I am trying to recruit kids to come out for track, that is always one of my huge selling points.

“On the other side of that, I need strong, fast, powerful kids if I’m going to have a successful track team. What better place to start finding that kind of talent than the football team?”

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 1:11 PM with the headline "Bell football players find many benefits from competing in track."