Hayden Bell, a Morehead State rifle student-athlete, has been awarded the 2025-26 Ohio Valley Conference Steve Hamilton Sportsmanship Award. This honor recognizes a male and female athlete of junior or senior standing who exemplify sportsmanship, citizenship, and athletic performance. Bell's outstanding achievements include being the 2026 OVC Air Rifle Champion and helping his team win the Smallbore Team Championship. He has maintained a 3.85 GPA in mathematics and has been recognized multiple times for his academic excellence. Bell is noted not only for his athletic skill but also for significant contributions to his community.

By the Numbers
  • Bell's Air Rifle score of 598 set a school record with 53 center shots.
  • He achieved an aggregate score of 1179 during the OVC Championship, marking his career-best.
State of Play
  • Bell's performances have resulted in numerous accolades, including first-team All-OVC honors in both Smallbore and Air Rifle.
  • He is the third MSU athlete to receive the Steve Hamilton Award, following Kandi Brown and MacKenzie Neal.
What's Next

As Bell continues his academic and athletic career, he may seek to further enhance his shooting skills while also potentially pursuing opportunities in higher-level competitions like the NCAA Championships.

Bottom Line

Hayden Bell stands out not just for his athletic prowess but also for his dedication to academics and community service, embodying the spirit of the Steve Hamilton Award and inspiring future student-athletes.