Versatile Bell excels in volleyball, track, band
HUNTLEY — When it comes to versatility, few student-athletes can top Huntley senior Jayden Bell.
Bell has balanced his leadership role with an up-and-coming volleyball program, contributed to the track and field team as well as playing trombone in the band.
Bell plans to continue to be busy in college, as he will attend Northern Illinois University to study to become a teacher as his mom Mary and dad Adam Bell. He applied for and was awarded an Illinois High School Association Foundation $1,000 scholarship. The scholarship from the IHSA Foundation, one of 22 awarded state-wide, is for seniors who plan to pursue a career in education.
“I will major in physical education at NIU and both of my parents are educators who graduated from NIU,” Bell said. “I plan to participate in marching band and play club volleyball there. Going to NIU gives me the opportunity to stop by HHS a little bit considering it is fairly close.”
Bell’s mom Mary teaches third through fifth grade music at Legee Elementary School. His dad Adam is a fifth grade band teacher at Husman and Coventry elementary schools in Crystal Lake. Bell would like to coach volleyball, track and field or basketball, he said, kindergarten through grade 12. “Any coaching experience for any sport would be a great opportunity,” he said.
Bell is captain for the.500 volleyball team as HHS was 12-12 after a 2-0 loss (25-15, 25-21) to St. Charles North May 8. Huntley fell to Rockford East May 10. The Red Raiders battle Grant at regional May 22 at Rockford Jefferson.
Teammates and his coach praised Bell’s talents on the volleyball court.
“I love playing with Bell,” teammate Eddie Bretana said. “He is one of my best friends. We’ve played volleyball together for four total seasons, counting Club Palatine in the off-season.”
“It’s his positive attitude, no matter what is going on,” senior Josh Iddings, a second-year volleyball player, said.
“Bell is a monster,” Red Raiders coach Gerry Marchand said in a positive way. “When his hitting and serving is on, there are few teams that can stop him. He played middle block his sophomore year, which was his first year. Last year he played mostly outside hitter. This year he has been playing mostly right side, where his blocking ability a lot of teams’ primary hitters. He is a great athlete and a great teammate. Everyone respects and looks up to him.”
Bell spoke highly of the volleyball team’s increase in skill level.
“The volleyball team has grown to be more skillful with the coaching from Jerry Rollins, Brandy Swanson and Marchand. Recently, our team made it to the silver division of the Warren Invite Tournament. We made volleyball history because this was the first time in the silver bracket and we had always been in the bronze bracket. We continue to reach our goals and we have more wins than losses. I believe this is the first time in HHS volleyball history we have had more wins than losses which shows our improvement over the years.”
Bell added, “while some guys are brand new to volleyball, our skill levels have increased with better hitting,blocking, setting and passing form. My coaches say if you cannot pass a volleyball, you can’t play volleyball. Passing and serving are the most critical skills to practice. We have many seniors and I believe this is the
best team we have had in the six years since volleyball was founded at HHS. This is the first time we have had more wins than losses.”
Bell has enjoyed success in both current teams and he has juggled both for the Red Raiders last two seasons. For track he qualified for the Top Times Indoor Meet in the 60m high hurdles for two seasons. He competes in the long jump, triple jump and hurdles.
“I participated in track all four years trying mainly jumping events such as the high, triple and long jumps and have also been a pole vaulter,” he said. “The track team is doing very well this year and a lot of personal records have been achieved.”
“Our post-season volleyball goal is to win regional this year, and as we approach this exciting event, we continue to practice and grow as a team,” Bell said.
His volleyball career began in his sophomore season after friends Chloe Ghast and Adrian Martinez suggested he try it. “I instantly fell in love with volleyball and decided to take it more seriously,” Bell commented.
Time management
“Scheduling and time management has always been a challenge, but with great coaches that are understanding and supportive, I am able to communicate a fair schedule with them. During my sophomore and junior year I would communicate with my coaches and trade between volleyball games and track meets that are on the same day. Sometimes the schedule gets crazy with track practice right after school, mow lawns for my job, then going straight to volleyball practice. During track and volleyball season, I often work 14-hour days from 7:30 a.m. school to 9:30 p.m. after volleyball practice. This year, I decided to focus more on volleyball considering that is what I plan to participate in college. My track coach (Chris Maxedon) still allows me to compete at meets that do not conflict as long as I go to practice at least once a week.”
On his band commitment, “being in band is also a commitment because we go to festivals, have concerts, so that is also a priority. I have to miss out on a home volleyball game to go to a band concert. Scheduling is challenging, but over my high school years,” Bell said. “I have improved my time-management skills significantly.”
Bell enjoys the volleyball squad’s togetherness.
“There is a lot of great team bonding on and off the court,” he said. “I’m going to miss going out to Culver’s restaurant to celebrate after a win or practice. I definitely plan to visit the volleyball team next year every so often to help and support them. Now that Marlowe Middle School has a boys’ volleyball team, my prediction is that the Huntley boys’ volleyball team will be unstoppable in the next few years.”
