BISD returns to track meet in China Spring

February 20, 2025

By Clay Whittington

Belton Journal

The Tigers and Lady Tigers opened their seasons in style last week.

Belton returned to the track Friday and dominated, cruising to championships in both the boys and girls divisions at the annual China Spring Cougar Relays.

Paced by eight gold medalists, the Tigers amassed 217 points to easily beat out the host Cougars (2nd, 135), Waco Connally (3rd, 103) and Waco La Vega (4th, 94). 

Junior sprinter Christian Porter was responsible for a pair of first-place finishes, winning the 100-meter dash in 11.23 second and the 400 in 50.67.

The production matched the showing from teammate John Zachary Moehlenbrock. He won the 800 (2:10.37) and 3,200 (11:02.48) to go along with a second-place outing in the 1,600 (5:16.56).

Belton’s remaining gold medals were yielded by seniors David Shelburne (1,600, 5:02.31), Logan Lamberte (pole vault, 13 feet, 0 inches), Damien Tiumalu (discus, 134-3) and sophomore Graham Chambley (110 hurdles, 15.98), who was also second (46.96) in the 300 hurdles and fourth (7-6) in the pole vault.

Additionally, individual medals were earned by senior Miguel Manners (2nd, triple jump, 40-6), senior Joshua Roberts (2nd, pole vault, 12-0), senior Marlon Bluntson (2nd, shot put, 42-5), sophomore Jose Perez Diaz (2nd, 3,200, 11:56.07), junior Vincent Gigger (3rd, 800, 2:24.73), junior Paul Muringathuparambil (3rd, 3,200, 12:12.65) and sophomore Gavin Ross (3rd, discus, 117-1).

Collectively, the Tigers were third in both the 400 relay (43.40) and 1,600 relay (3:49.25). Thanks in part to standout performances from junior Laila Page and sophomores Damauria Nolan-Hemphill and Roxanna Delgado, the Lady Tigers scored 244 points — 88 more than their closest competition.

Nolan-Hemphill emerged with three championships, winning the 100 (12.78), 200 (26.49) and long jump (17-2½), while Page was first in the 400 (1:00.42), triple jump (34-0½) and pole vault (8-0) to go along with a silver medal in the 200 (27.31).

Delgado won two long distance races, placing first in the 1,600 (6:23.0) and 3,200 (14:02.46), and freshman teammate Isabella Warner’s career debut culminated with a win in the 800 (2:31.29) and a runner-up showing in the 400 (1:04.09)

The Lady Tigers’ 1,600 relay quartet was also first, finishing in 4:18.24.

Also placing among the top three was senior Jane Gauntt (2nd, pole vault, 7-0), senior Annabella Pula (2nd, discus, 84-8½), junior Delilah Hoffman (2nd, 300 hurdles, 52.12), sophomore Temperance Numm (2nd, 1,600, 6:25.70), sophomore Nataly Valdez (2nd, 3,200, 14:04.35; 3rd, 1,600, 6:36.74), sophomore Melissa Farmer (2nd, shot put, 34-10½), sophomore Gabrielle Lewis (3rd, 400, 1:05.12), sophomore Saniya Huston (3rd, 100 hurdles, 18.57; 3rd, 300 hurdles, 54.66) and freshman Jada Gage (2nd, long jump, 15-10 ½; 2nd, high jump, 4-8; 3rd, triple jump, 30-11½).

Rounding out the standings, China Spring placed second (160) with Connally (3rd, 75) and La Vega (4th, 47) following.

Lake Belton also opened its season’s schedule over the weekend, traveling to College Station for the A&M Consolidated Relays, where the Lady Broncos were third (149) and the Broncos placed fifth (59).

The Lady Broncos’ top showings were produced by senior Abigail Rydberg, who won the high jump (4-10) and pole vault (11-0), and sophomore Audrey Mughelli, who was first (36-4) in the triple jump.

In other field events, sophomore Isalei Simpson was second (73-10) in the discus and third (27-6½) in the shot put.

On the track, Lake Belton was second in both the 400 relay (50.60) and 3,200 relay (10:47.56) and third in the 800 relay (1:53.22) and 6,400 relay (25:19.29).

Lady Broncos senior Chelsie Miller (3rd, 400, 1:03.07), juniors Kiely Camacho (2nd, 100 hurdles, 16.71), Nylah Berrian (2nd, 400j, 1:02.61) and Moriah Rydberg (3rd, 300 hurdles, 52.06) and sophomore Alexa Harbour (3rd, 100 hurdles, 16.88) also returned home with medals.

The Lady Broncos finished behind champion A&M Consolidated (172) and Pflugerville Hendrick (2nd, 161), while A&M Consolidated (1st, 192), Hendrickson (2nd, 144), Brenham (3rd, 62) and Waco University (4th, 61) beat out the Broncos.

Julian Walker, a senior, emerged with two medals for Lake Belton, winning the long jump (22-2) and placing second (6-0) in the high jump, while teammates Carson Yandell and Travellis Harrison were first (11-6) in the pole vault and second (44-4½) in the shot put, respectively.

All four squads will look to build on their debuts Saturday, when Belton and Lake Belton take part in the Copperas Cove Relays.