T-R PHOTO BY ROSS THEDE

Long-time Marshalltown High School athletic director and boys cross country coach Tim Bell was honored by the National Federation of State High School Associations’ Officials Association (NFOA) as Iowa’s girls cross country Official of the Year during Saturday’s awards ceremony at the state meet at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course near Fort Dodge. Bell coached the Bobcat boys for 32 years and oversaw the squad advancing to state 25 times, including 18 consecutive seasons. Since retiring, Bell has served as a highly respected cross country meet official and starter, and has been recognized as the State Cross Country Starter of the Year, State Girls Track Starter of the Year, and State Boys Track Starter of the Year. He has been inducted to multiple Halls of Fame, including the Iowa Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches, the Girls Basketball Officials, and Iowa High School Athletic Association Officials.