University of Richmond Athletics
Bell strikes again
03/19/2003 | Women's Track & Field
March 19, 2003
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -
BY FRED JETER
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
The record-book keeper at the University of Richmond needs a pencil with a sturdy eraser.
Ashley Bell is on a record-breaking binge.
The sophomore from J.R. Tucker High already is the best-ever sprinter, hurdler and triple-jumper in school track and field history.
She established six school standards this past indoor season. In the triple jump, she broke her own record of a year ago and then broke it again on two occasions.
Competing in six events, Bell mustered 22 points as UR won its first Atlantic 10 Conference women's championship in Kingston, R.I.
"Ashley has come through in events where we don't have much depth," Spiders coach Lori Taylor said. "She quietly goes out there and gets it done. She shows a lot of talent, desire and a big heart."
Bell has sparkled the brightest in the triple jump. She broke the school mark for at least the fourth time at Virginia Tech, sailing 41-Ľ.
She missed NCAA championship meet qualifying standards by a scant 15 centimeters. The NCAA standard is 12.65 meters, and Bell was measured at 12.50.
"I really didn't think about how close I came because it was all such a surprise," said Bell, who is majoring in international studies. "I didn't know I had a jump like that in me."
Click here to read the complete feature story on Ashley Bell from the Richmond Times Dispatch
