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Athlete of the Issue: James Bell ’17

As a senior leader and captain of Belmont Hill’s distinguished squash program, much is expected of you. However, James Bell ‘17 has worked his way into the number one spot on this year’s squad, and hasn’t looked back since. Belmont Hill’s squash team is one of the most successful teams on campus, and the squash team has both won the ISL Championship and has never finished worse than third place at High School Nationals during James’ six years on the team. James has been a major contributor, working his way up the ladder to his current placement of number one. According to Coach Brownell, “James is a six-year varsity standout.  He was an instrumental member on 6 ISL championship teams that have finished either second or third in the nation for all of his 6 years. He has been a New England Champion at various flights over the course of his career.”

James started playing squash at a young age. As a premier squash player, James found himself playing in tournaments all over the country. He played every year, becoming both stronger and better with age, and he ranked among the top twenty players in the country. While James has a solid reputation as an American player, the ISL schools, especially the boarding schools, enroll some of the world’s best foreign players. This year, as our #1, James had to face several Egyptian players who ranked among the best in the world, and James performed admirably.

Coach Brownell will certainly miss James next year. “He has been a marvelous captain on this year’s team and he represents the very best of a Belmont Hill student-athlete. I’m very proud to have been both his coach and his math teacher.”  James plans to continue playing at Dartmouth, where he will be a valuable member of his team. Whatever the future brings for James, I am sure that success will follow.  You wouldn’t want to bet against him.

 

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