West Side's James Bell cleared 6-10 on Friday to win a sectional title by 10 inches. (Alexandra Pais | For NJ Advance Media)
James Bell is eyeing a seven-foot jump clear in the high jump at some point this season.
The West Side senior came pretty close Friday.
Bell set a new personal- and state-best mark this spring at the North 2, Group 2 sectional meet at Middletown North, clearing 6-10 to win the event by 10 inches over his next closest competitor.
According to MileSplit, only 10 New Jersey athletes have ever cleared 7-0 since 2000, the two most recent being Bridgeton's Markquese Bell in 2017 at the Cape-Atlantic League Championships and current Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku, formerly of Cedar Grove, in 2014 at the Groups meet.
PLUS: Sectional track & field coverage, 2019 - Results, links and featured coverage
The record in that span is 7-4 1/2, set by Paul Klemic of Mainland at the Foot Locker National Championship in 2000.
Prior to Bell's 6-10 clear, his previous season- and career-best was 6-8, most recently clearing that height at the Essex County Relays on May 3.
Bell also currently ranks fourth in New Jersey in the long jump, with a mark of 22-8 1/2.Bell repeated as sectional champion in the high jump, after winning last year's event at 6-4. He went on to win Group 2 at 6-6 and take 11th at the Meet of Champions at 6-4.
JJ Conrad covers track and field for NJ Advance Media He may be reached at jconrad@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JJ_Conrad. Like NJ.com High School Sports on Facebook.
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