Bella Nelson: the drive of a champion
By Reagan Rozzi
Photo of Bella Nelson (left) taken by Mike Simons
After traveling for hours on end, Owasso’s track and field team has finally arrived at their meet. Anxious to get on the field, the team files out to set up camp. As the events begin and schools from across the state release their greatest runners, Bella Nelson comes whirling around the track at lightning speed. Moving from Colorado only last year, Nelson has worked her way up to having the fastest high school female mile time in the state.
With such a title, one would expect Nelson to have a lifetime’s worth of coaching. However, while Nelson was able to get a taste of running during her middle school years, she didn’t begin competing until her freshman year of high school. Training among Niwot High School’s nationally ranked team, Nelson fell in love with the sport. She has since dedicated her life to running—both cross country and track.
In addition to her in-school training, Nelson’s father also has an experienced background in the art of running—both in high school and in college—and later developed his own professional career.
Now a part of Owasso’s community, Nelson has earned herself a spot on the high school’s track team, as well as the cross country team. She has been able to train a little more lightly than in her Colorado days, but Nelson remains just as self-driven. After all, earning the title of number one in the state is no small achievement.
“I do about 30 to 35 miles a week,” Nelson shared, which to most would seem vigorous but is apparently on the “lesser side” of the running preparation scale. Nonetheless, her drive remains strong and consistent.
“I’m definitely under-trained, which is good, especially because I do want to run in college, so it’s definitely better to be under-trained to go to college.”
And to college, she will go! As of April 3rd, Nelson eagerly announced her commitment to Oklahoma State University, where she will form her own professional running career amongst the Cowboys.
But post-graduation, in the future, high state ranking and routine preparation aside, Nelson’s favorite part of running is the bonds she has made and continues to make with her track and cross country family.
Smiling, Nelson said, “The whole team is super close…it’s pretty easy to make friends on the team.”
Currently in the midst of track season, Nelson recently returned from Arcadia, California, where she ran the mile event during her meet. However, her plans for the rest of the season include staying local, with the only possibilities of traveling being St. Louis, Missouri or the Nationals event in Oregon.
No matter where her upcoming schedule takes her, Bella Nelson will always have the community’s support. And for those living in the community, we’ll be sure to look out for Owasso’s most humble, kind and determined athlete.