Best of Preps male athlete of the year Vonn Bell receives his award at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
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Best of Preps
Best of Preps female athlete of the year Brooke Copeland receives her award for Steven Hargis.READ MORE
Wiedmer: Chipper Jones’ return to site of title is special for prep stars (with video)
Chipper Jones entertained a sold-out crowd as the featured speaker of the Best of Preps banquet Monday at the Chattanooga Convention Center, but the former Atlanta Braves star took a back seat in travel miles to one of the evening’s main award winners.
Vonn Bell, the Ridgeland High School star football player, made the trip Monday from Columbus, Ohio, where the Ohio State freshman already is enrolled in classes. After mechanical issues forced a nearly three-hour delay in his flight, Bell arrived just in time to receive his Male Athlete of the Year award. Though a bit dazed from the long day, he was appreciative of the award.
“This is a great night to see all these great athletes here and to know that all the hard work was worth it,” said Bell, who earlier won the E.B. “Red” Etter Award as the area’s top football player. “It’s been a long day; I had my first quiz today and the workouts are kicking my tail, but it’s all worth it. Ohio State is treating me good, but it’s nice to get to come home and see my family and all these nice smiling faces.”