TRACK & FIELD

PADEN BELL

Paden Bell put up one of the best single performances at state we have ever seen in her sophomore 2021 season. Keep in mind, she’s of the group that lost her entire 2020 season due to the pandemic. Still, Bell had a pair of state titles, 6 region titles, and finished in the top-5 at state 5 times and top-10 8 times. She did all this in multiple events. Primarily a distance runner, Bell took on the daunting task in the 2021 State Championships to run the 400, 800, 1600, and 3200. She won the state title in the 400 with a PR of 1:01.13 and the 3200 in a PR of 12:25.95. She was the Runner-Up in the 800, and came in 4th in the 1600 in a PR of 5:44.37. She was the Region Champion in all 4 of those events that season. She cast aside the long distance runs from there on out, and went with the 400 and 800 as a junior. She won region in the 800, and came in 5th at state. Her PR in that event was 2:31.85. She was 7th at state in the 400 that season, but also began to compete in such events as long jump, 100 meter hurdles, 200 meter, shot put, javelin, as part of the Hephathlon. In her final season (2023), Bell competed in the long jump, high jump, and 300 meter hurdles and did away with all primary running events. She won a region title in the long jump, and came in 7th at state and 6th at state in the 300 meter hurdles. Her PR in the long jump was 16-11.5 and 47.94 in the 300 MH. Bell goes down as one of the best track and field athletes in the BLITZ-era (2009-present), competing in nearly every single event. She also was a prominent member of several region title and state-placing relay teams. Bell went on to compete in track and field at East Tennessee State University. (1,775 votes)

SHELBY SPEED

Shelby Speed was an elite thrower for Banks County. Overall, speed collected 5 region titles and 3 State Championships as well as a state runner-up, starring in the discus and shot put. She was able to finish her career in 2023 at the State Championships with not only winning both events, but setting PRs in the process. In discus, her throw was 153-01, while she had a 43-07 in shot put. Speed finished Region RU in shot put in 2021 and 11th at state, while being the Region Champ in discus and winning the State Championship as well. In 2022, she was the Region Champ in shot put and 11th again at state, while being the Region Champion and State Runner-Up in discus. In 2023, Speed was the Region Champion and State Champion in both shot put and discus. Speed was invited – and excelled – at the Wingfoot Night of Champions, placing 2nd in discus and 3rd in shot put. She went on to compete in track and field at Kennesaw State University. (339 votes)