Bella Van, jumping into graduation
Pictured above, NC senior Bella Van poses with her coach, Mike Turchman, for a photo. Van pole vaults for the track and field team, along with cheering for the varsity cheer squad. This season, Van became the second-highest vaulter to ever jump at NC and made third place at the county meet. Once graduating, she will attend the University of Mississippi to study Kinesiology.
May 14, 2021
NC senior, Bella Van, enthusiastically participated in the 2021 track and field season, collecting several accolades on her final ride. After graduation, Van plans on attending the University of Mississippi to study Kinesiology, the study of human/non-human body movement. Along with her prominent leadership in NC’s cheer program, joining track and field provided Van with the confidence to expand her interests and further her passion for sports.
“Vaulting has inspired me to try new things, I’ve cheered my whole life so starting pole vault was kind of scary, but it made me realize to not hesitate and to try new things,” Van said.
Van began vaulting when a coach at a football game suggested that she try it. Once joining the NC track and field team, the fun practices and exciting meets kept her interested in the sport.
“My favorite aspect of being on the team is that everyone encourages each other and builds each other up,” Van said.
The team remains positive and uplifting, encouraging each other to do their best. Van will miss her coach and her teammates when she graduates but excitedly prepares for the next chapter of her life, as she will continue her passion for sports and body movement when she goes to college.
This past season, Van made multiple accomplishments. She became the second-highest vaulter to ever jump at NC, placing third at the county meet. Van also finished second place at the Creekview invitational. Van’s success throughout the 2021 season, stemmed from the time she spent putting in the sweat equity. She encourages hard work and dedication for any students looking to join pole vaulting.
Any sport takes patience, practice, and enthusiasm; all of which Van displays as an NC student-athlete. Any other students looking to join the team should begin training now to prepare for next season, which will begin spring of the 2021-2022 school year. The team will always welcome new members. For further information, parents and students can visit the NC athletics website and read the athletic registration information.