Belden's Big Plans

Still frustrated from having to miss the 2007 state meet due to a broken bone in his foot suffered at sectionals, Decatur Central track and field standout Bob Belden tossed his mail into the corner of his room. That was early June 2007 and the envelope sat there for two months. Finally, in early August, Belden opened the recruiting letter from Cornell University and filled out the enclosed questionnaire. It was one of only two track and field-specific recruiting letters he received; Franklin College being the other. It didn't take long for Cornell to pick up the phone and get Belden on campus. And then it didn't take long for Belden to sign on for four years at the Ivy League institution. "You can't beat the level of academics and the prestige," said Belden, who ranks fourth in his graduating class. Belden attributes his academic success to "a product of my raising." He says his parents and grandparents have always held him accountable in school. Cornell will wait for a few months as Belden has his eye on a state championship in the discus, one that former teammate Josh Greenwald (now at the University of Louisville) isn't around to defend. Belden is off to a good start this season, already laying claim to Greenwald's school record after a throw of 195 feet, 4 inches in his first meet, the state's longest throw this season. Despite slick conditions, Belden set the only meet record at the Marion County championships last month with a throw of 192-7. It's obvious that everything is coming together at the right time. With the school record in the books, Belden has turned his attention to throwing 200 feet, hoping to win a state title after watching the 2007 championship with that broken foot. "Breaking my foot led to a lot of frustration," said Belden. "At first, you think 'why me?' and try to figure out why it happened. Finally, I realized I was lucky it didn't happen as a senior, so now its motivation to make the most out of this last season." Stating a "lack of talent in baseball" led him to throwing, Belden started throwing during middle school during the offseason in football. Belden received a slew of postseason awards on the gridiron this year, but a piece of paper hanging on the window of the football office provides the best look at him. The sheet listing the weekly award winners from a game in the fall has Belden winning the "O-Line Hog Award" and "Steamroller Block Award." Decatur Central has produced several quality offensive linemen over the years, including 1995 DC graduate and University of Wisconsin behemoth Aaron Gibson at 6-foot-6 and 380 pounds. Belden portrays himself in a different light, more of an undersized lineman (if 6-3, 270 can be considered undersized) who has to use his feet more than his strength. Those feet are what stand out to Decatur Central throwing coach Joe Schott, who has been coaching for 50 years. "Bob is very quick, but he's also not afraid of the weight room," said Schott. "He's got a great work ethic and it's just a privilege to coach him. For me, ignorance is bliss. I don't know enough to confuse him." Don't let the old coach fool you; he knows what he's doing. He has three state rings to show for his work, which has included 24 years coaching in CYO leagues, and another 26 in the high school ranks at several schools since retiring from at&t. On this night, Schott and head coach Tim Able walk up on a familiar sight. Belden, alone in the throwing ring, preparing for a meet the following night. "The best way to lead is by example," said Able. "He works year-round, not just in-season. He does the extra things, the weight room, nutritionally." Belden allows himself approximately one Mountain Dew per month and carbs-up in advance of meets by taking his girlfriend and mother to Olive Garden. Schott calls him "a great assistant coach" for all the time he takes to help younger throwers at practice. Able refers to him as "the complete package." They'll be sad to see him leave, but in the fall, it's off to Ithaca, N.Y. At Cornell, Belden wants to win a few Ivy League championships and qualify for the national championships. He plans to major in policy analysis and management with law school a possibility for the future. He hopes to run for public office one day. But those voters will have to wait. Belden has more immediate plans: 200 feet and a state title.