ACADEMY, TX – The Lamar Middle School 8th Grade Bearcat Track & Field team hit the dirt at John Glover Stadium this past Wednesday, March 4, putting their athleticism on display at the Academy Bumblebee Relays. Competing in a massive field of 13 teams, the Bearcats secured an 8th place finish overall, tallying 29 team points in a meet dominated by Lampasas (141 points) and North Belton (106 points).
While the team standings were a climb, the individual grit of the Bearcats was undeniable, highlighted by several "top five" finishes and a standout performance that landed one athlete among the best in the entire meet.
Mitchell-Ferris Leads the Charge
The story of the day for Lamar was undoubtedly Damian Mitchell-Ferris. Carrying a heavy load across both track and field events, Mitchell-Ferris proved to be a scoring machine. He earned a silver medal in the High Jump with a leap of 5’2 and a bronze in the Long Jump at 17’8.
His speed was just as potent on the track, where he took 4th in the 200 meters (24.70). Thanks to his versatility, he finished as one of the Top 10 individual scorers of the entire meet, accounting for 18 of the team’s 29 points.
Strength in the Trenches
Lamar showed significant muscle in the throwing events. Noah Bolivar secured 4th place in the Shot Put with a toss of 38’11, while teammate Anthony Martin followed closely in 5th with a mark of 37’11 ½. Martin also proved his range by taking 5th place in the Discus with a throw of 109’8, providing the Bearcats with a solid points cushion from the field.
Relay Results
On the relay front, the 4x200 team—consisting of Riley Davis, Liam Inzunza, Damian Mitchell-Ferris, and Harlem Taylor—battled through a crowded heat to take 5th place with a time of 1:43.08.
Meet Participants & Placements
The following Bearcats earned points for their performances at John Glover Stadium:
Damian Mitchell-Ferris: 2nd Place, High Jump (5’2); 3rd Place, Long Jump (17’8); 4th Place, 200 Meters (24.70).
Noah Bolivar: 4th Place, Shot Put (38’11).
Anthony Martin: 5th Place, Shot Put (37’11 ½); 5th Place, Discus (109’8).
4x200 Relay Team: 5th Place (1:43.08) – Featuring Riley Davis, Liam Inzunza, Damian Mitchell-Ferris, and Harlem Taylor.
Up Next: The Bearcats will look to build on this momentum and shave seconds off their times as they head to the Burnet Relays in Burnet, Texas, on Wednesday, March 11.
