Whiz Kid: Chaison Bell-James

Cleveland Heights Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Chaison Bell-James

• Entering his senior year at
• Won WEWS Channel 5 McDonald's Student Athlete of the Week in May
• Has lettered in three sports

On Monday, Chaison Bell-James finished three football practices that began early in the morning and didn’t end until close to 7 p.m.

He’ll go through those several more times before the school year begins in a few weeks; a rigorous schedule intended to get the Heights High football team ready for another demanding season. But he doesn’t mind. He said it’s all part of the game.

“I love competition,” the 16-year-old said. “I’ve been doing for it for a while now and I just love it.”

That’s the competitive spirit that earned Bell-James, who goes by "Chase," the WEWS Channel 5 McDonald's Student Athlete of the Week recognition in May. The honor is bestowed only to those who exhibit both athletic prowess on the field as well as hard work in the classroom. Chase, a linebacker, received a 3.8 GPA during the quarter when the award was granted, a feat he said resulted from a lot of determination.

“It took me a while to adjust and really focus on grades,” he said. “After a while it really clicked, and I started hitting the books harder and it came really easy for me.”

In addition to football, Chase also lettered in wrestling and track while taking a course load that will prepare him for college, including honors English, precalculus and physics. His coach, Jeff Rotsky, told WEWS he was “proud” of his player.

“He made a lot of strides in the classroom, taking a very competitive class load that I'm very proud of,” Rotsky said.

Chase said he began playing football in seventh grade after the coach walked up to him while he was watching one of the football team practices from the stands.

“The coach came up to me and said, ‘I don’t want to see you in the stands anymore. I want to see you on the field,'” Chase said. He believes it may have been his size at the time — he was bigger than many other kids his age — that made the coach seek him out.

He started out as an offensive and defensive lineman but moved to linebacker once he got to high school. In 2009 he was named Defensive Player of the Year by his coaches.

“I love playing linebacker, and I hope to continue it in college,” he said. “I really like hitting people. It may sound bad but I really do. You gotta know how to read plays and get the ball. You gotta be football smart.”

After high school, Chase said he hopes to pursue sports medicine.