MALE

JARED BELL, Senior-Track

• New England champion, shot put

• Class A state champion, discus (new state record)

• Class A state champion, shot put

• SMAA all-star, first-team, discus

• SMAA all-star, first-team, shot put

• SMAA all-star, honorable mention, javelin

•  All-State first team
  

Bell followed up a stellar indoor season with a superb coda to his high school career.

Bell has become the state’s premier thrower, so expectations were high entering the spring, his first full outdoor season. Last year, while focusing more on baseball, Bell came in second outdoors in the discus. After winning the shot put for the second straight winter indoors back in February, he set out to turn heads in his final season and not surprisingly, succeeded.

Whether he was sending the shot put, discus or javelin soaring through the stratosphere, Bell set the pace in the conference and he won the shot put (with a top throw of 54 feet, 1 inch) and discus (169-0), while coming in third in the javelin at Southwesterns.

At the state meet, Bell set a new record in winning the discus (176-7) and also was first in the shot put (57-2.25). He was fourth in the javelin and accounted for 80 percent of his team’s points (Bell’s 24 were only eclipsed by 11 teams).

Bell qualified for New Englands and there, finished in grand style, winning the shot put with a top throw of 58-10. He also came in fourth in the discus (172-0).

“It was a great way to cap my high school career,” said Bell. “I love track. I got to focus on it completely this spring. I had a great experience with my coaches and teammates.”

Bell is a member of student senate and was class vice president his freshman year. Bell is also a published poet, an ‘A’ student and a member of Deering’s student government. He will attend and throw at Princeton University next year. He looks to add the hammer to the discus, javelin and shot put. He’s undecided on a major.

Expect him to continue to dazzle, both in the classroom and on the track. Jared Bell, Deering’s Spring Male Athlete of the Year, was one of Maine’s great throwers and won’t soon be forgotten.

Coach Frank Myatt’s comment: “Jared was unbelievable. He’s a once-in-a-career athlete for a coach. He had an awesome run. He dedicated himself to becoming elite. He works hard in the offseason. He had a fitting ending to his high school career. He can literally do whatever he chooses to do in college.”

Previous winners:

2012: Karl Rickett (lacrosse)

2011: Carleton Allen (lacrosse)

2010: Sam Balzano (baseball)

2009: Regan Flaherty (baseball)

2008: Taylor Candage (baseball)

2007: Matt Watson (baseball)

2006: Adam Rothbart (lacrosse)

2005: Neall Oliver (tennis)

2004: Ryan Reid (baseball)

Female

RASHAD ZAGON, Junior-Track

• SMAA all-star, first-team, 300 hurdles

• SMAA all-star, second-team, high jump

• SMAA all-star, honorable mention, 100 hurdles

Zagon was one of the league’s top hurdlers and jumpers and made her mark in the biggest meets.

Zagon, who hails from Antigua and is the younger sister of former Portland High standout Imadhi Zagon, started competing in track in elementary school. Her athleticism made her stand out in high school. As a freshman, Zagon came in fourth in the 100 hurdles in the SMAA championships. As a sophomore, she placed third in the 100 hurdles and tied for sixth in the long jump in the SMAA meet.

This spring, Zagon, who also competes indoors, won the 100 hurdles in the season-opening meet, then made a mark in the postseason.

At the SMAA championships, Zagon won the 300 hurdles, was second in the high jump and placed third in the 100 hurdles.

At the Class A state meet, Zagon placed fifth in the high jump (5 feet).

“Track is what I love,” Zagon said. “I’m self-driven.”

Zagon has her eye on a top high jump of 5-foot-4-inches and is looking to win a state title as a senior. She may try field hockey as well. She also hopes to compete in the high jump and hurdles in college and is entertaining becoming a police officer.

First, a triumphant senior year is likely in store. Rashad Zagon, Deering’s Spring Female Athlete of the Year, keeps getting better, works hard and has some great things in her future.

Coach Kevin Olson’s comment: “Rashad really broke through as a runner and established herself as a top hurdler. She got very consistent in the high jump. She wants to get better. She’s driven and motivated. She’s developed into quite the athlete. Her natural ability and work ethic have brought her to a new level.”

Previous winners:

2012: Veronica Mitchell (lacrosse/track)

2011: Jen Lynch (softball)

2010: Julie Pallozzi (lacrosse)

2009: Melissa Bell (softball)

2008: Lesley Warn (softball)

2007: Chelsea Johnson (lacrosse)

2006: Kate Bustin (softball)

2005: Lesley Warn (softball)

2004: Gina Axelson (softball)

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

Sidebar Elements

---

Bell

Bell

Zagon

Zagon