Jacob Bell returns to Palatine Hill as an assistant men's and women's golf coach in the Fall of 2024.
The River Otters took another step forward during Bell's second season. Women's golf posted their best finish in the Northwest Conference Season Standings since the 2016-17 season when they placed third overall. Men's golf finished in sixth place for the second-straight season but posted their best finish at an NWC Championship since 1988 when they came in fourth place. Women's sophomore Ahika Jani was named to the NWC First Team after becoming the second player in women's program history to win an NWC Event (NWC Spring Classic). She finished the year ranked 74th in NCAA DIII in the Clippd Rankings. Men's junior Luke Blankinship earned his first career NWC All-Conference honors (Third Team), after placing tied for fifth at the NWC Championship.
Despite a pair of young rosters that featured 12 newcomers and just three returners, both programs took a major step forward during the 2024-25 season. The women's team finished fifth in the NWC - their highest result since the 2018-19 campaign. The men's program placed sixth overall, which was their highest finish since 2016-17. Women's first year Ahika Jani earned Northwest Conference Rookie of the Year honors after placing second overall at the Northwest Conference Championship Tournament. Men's first year Charlie Hageman and sophomore transfer Luke Blankinship both finished in the top-five at the NWC Classic Tournament, to become the first men's golfers to finish top-5 at an NWC event since 2017.
Bell was a standout golfer for the Pioneers during his four season (2015-19). He finished his senior season with the top scoring average on the men's team (79.67) while playing in all eight tournaments. He posted the top-score on the team in all three Northwest Conference Tournaments as a senior, including finishing in a tie for 21st at the 2018 NWC Fall Classic. Bell racked up a number of top-25 showings, including finishing in a tie for 13th at both the 2016 and 2017 NWC Fall Classic Tournaments.
He returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach in the Fall of 2019. After a several-year hiatus, Bell rejoined the Lewis & Clark coaching staff in the Fall of 2024.
