For Freedom swimmer Al Bell, the sport isn't just getting in the pool and taking off.

Hes very different than most athletes I coach," Patriots swimming coach Jon Larson said. "He flies under the radar. Hes not very vocal and hes a thinker. He knows everybodys personality that he was swimming against. And he uses that to his own advantage, whether he has the right perception of them or not."

The thoughtful approach by the sophomore resulted in gold in the District 11 Class 3A 500 freestyle on Saturday at Parkland High School.

Bell swam a 4:45.94 to take first place, just beating out Parkland's Hyunbin Kim, Southern Lehigh's Raahi Klar-Chaudhuri and Daniel Jablonski of Whitehall.

It just shows that hard work pays off. Its just exciting, Bell said about getting his first district gold.

The sophomore also captured the bronze medal in the 200 individual medley with a 1:59.57 on Friday night.

Bell also teamed with Colin Burnette, Grayden Hogan and Brian Seitz to tie for fourth in the 200 medley relay with a 1:42.65 on Friday night.

"A little, but I don't let that get to me," Bell said about being nervous in the meet.

Josh Folck may be reached atjfolck@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter@JoshFolck.FindLehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

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Freedom's Al Bell thinks his way to D-11 swimming title - lehighvalleylive.com