CSD Athletics: Bulldog News

Bulldog Families,

Ring the Bell!! The Bulldogs have another STATE CHAMPION! Our DHS Swim Team made a huge splash at the GHSA State Meet on Saturday. One of many highlights, Isaiah Lewis is the STATE CHAMPION in the 100 Freestyle. Shortly after finishing as State Runner-Up in the 50 Free, Isaiah swam an impressive 44.71 race to secure a championship and his spot in DHS Swim history! See below for more swim team details.

Additionally, we have 4 wrestlers competing as this newsletter is being written at the GHSA State Tournament, and our Boys' Basketball team has advanced to the semifinals of the Region Tournament and secured a spot in the GHSA Basketball State Playoffs. Our Bulldogs are finishing the Winter Season strong. It's great to see their hard work, dedication, and teamwork pay off!

Looking ahead, we hope you will join us in March at this year's Decatur Bulldog Booster Bash. This continues to be a great event where all of our Bulldog families from Decatur High and Beacon Hill Middle Schools come together to celebrate, fellowship, and fundraise. See the Save-the-Date below.

As always, there is a lot to celebrate in CSD Athletics. If you have any questions or need guidance relating to our programs, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Go Bulldogs!!

Director of Activities & Athletics: Rodney Thomas

(rthomas@csdecatur.net)

Assistant Activities & Athletics Director: David Harbin

(dharbin@csdecatur.net)

Bookkeeper & Administrative Assistant: Kelli Aaron

(kaaron@csdecatur.net)

On February 4, we celebrated the girls and women who make our athletic programs stronger every day. From our student-athletes who compete with confidence, character, and resilience, to the coaches and leaders who mentor, teach, and inspire, their impact extends far beyond wins and losses. Through sport, our Bulldogs create positive learning environments where students grow as teammates, leaders, and people. We are proud to recognize and thank all of the women in our Decatur athletic community who continue to open doors, raise expectations, and set the standard for what is possible. Go Bulldogs!

Decatur Swim had a historic showing at the State Championship Meet this past weekend! We sent a powerhouse squad of 19 Varsity athletes, spanning every grade level, to compete against over 40 teams. The results were nothing short of spectacular: the Girls finished 6th overall, the Boys finished 4th overall, and Isaiah Lewis is a STATE CHAMPION!

State Champions & Podium Finishes

A special shoutout to our athletes who climbed the podium and brought home the hardware:

• Isaiah Lewis: State Champion! 🥇 (100 Free) and 2nd Place 🥈 (50 Free)

• Boys 200 Free Relay: 2nd Place 🥈 (I. Lewis, W. Sauer, W. Sollie, T. Hylen)

• Boys 400 Free Relay: 2nd Place 🥈 (I. Lewis, W. Sauer, W. Sollie, T. Hylen)

• Girls 200 Free Relay: 2nd Place 🥈 (C. Lockwood, L. Durbin, S. Cape, M. Joyner)

Record-Breaking Performance

Our Bulldogs didn't just win; they rewrote the history books. We set 8 new school records during the meet:

• Individual Records: Isaiah Lewis (50 & 100 Free), William Sollie (500 Free), and Melanie Joyner (100 Breast).

• Relay Records: Girls 200 Medley, Girls 200 Free, Boys 200 Free, and Boys 400 Free.

The Decatur High School (DHS) wrestling program reached several historic milestones over the past week as senior Megene Chibuyu became the first female wrestler in DHS history to qualify for the GHSA Girls State Wrestling Championship since GHSA sanctioned girls’ wrestling as an official sport.

In qualifying for the state championship, Chibuyu became the first DHS female wrestler to take home first individual place at the 2026 GHSA Traditional Wrestling Sectionals over the weekend, directly after becoming the first DHS female wrestler to win the Area Championship at the GHSA Area Tournament several days earlier.

Chibuyu’s performance at the area championships led a strong showing for the Bulldogs, which included impressive finishes by teammates Milly Garcia Parra, who took fifth place, and Mariyamo Abshiro, who finished sixth in their respective weight classes.

At sectionals, Chibuyu was the lone Decatur wrestler in the tournament held at Carver High School in Columbus. While down 10-9 in the sectionals championship match, Chibuyu secured a three-point takedown in the final moments to win the gold with only five seconds remaining. She will now compete in the state competition on Friday, February 13, and Saturday, February 14 at the Clayton County Convocation Center.

On Saturday, the Bulldogs took the court at Miller Grove HS in front of a packed gymnasium for the DeKalb County Championship. Beacon Hill faced undefeated Champion MS in a rematch from earlier in the season. For four quarters, both teams battled back and forth with smothering defense and hard-to-come-by baskets. In the end, the Bulldogs came up just short of victory. Our County Runners-Up end the season with a 14-2 record and received a well-deserved standing ovation from the many Bulldog fans who made the trip to support the team. Great job to all of our Bulldogs, and thank you to Coach Hood, Coach Edwards, and Coach Lindsay for guiding our students through an unforgettable season!

The regular season wrapped up last week for Decatur, and this week, the Bulldogs began competition in the Region Tournament. On Monday, the Lady Dogs took on the #4-seeded Lakeside Vikings. After a back and forth game, the game ended with the Vikings on top, ending a successful season for Decatur. On Tuesday, the Boys' team took on #7-seeded Arabia Mountain. Despite trailing for most of the game, the Bulldogs pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback to secure the victory, advance to the semifinals, as well as a spot in the GHSA State Tournament. The Bulldogs head back to Chamblee on Friday for a rematch against Tri-Cities.

Our Bulldogs have 4 wrestlers competing in the GHSA State Wrestling Meet this week! Congratulations to Freddie Holbein, who finished in 6th place at the Sectional Tournament. Additionally, Ashton Glasgow and Lucian Brock are Sectional CHAMPIONS!! All three wrestled on Wednesday and compete again today in the final day of the GHSA State Meet.

Our DHS Cheerleaders haven't yet wrapped up the 2025-2026 season, and already, it's time to start preparing for 2026-2027!! See the graphic below for important information about the Interest Meeting in March and tryouts in April.

We’re proud of our student-athletes, Mary France Bell and Abby Campbell, who represented DHS at the Inaugural EmpowerHER Symposium at Agnes Scott College. This inspiring event brought together young women from several schools in metro Atlanta to learn directly from female leaders who have made meaningful contributions across the sports industry.

Through an engaging panel discussion, interactive student questions, and a guided campus and athletics tour, our Bulldogs gained valuable insight into leadership, opportunity, and life beyond high school sports. Experiences like EmpowerHER continue to empower our student-athletes to dream big, ask questions, and see what’s possible—on and off the field. Thank you to Athletic Director, Dr. Kanika Richardson, and our neighbors at Agnes Scott College for facilitating this impactful event.

Our Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) recently completed its 3rd Annual Sportsmanship Visit to Glennwood Elementary School, bringing 15 DHS student-athletes into classrooms to connect with our youngest Bulldogs. Throughout the day, DHS students shared what it means to be a student-athlete, led conversations about good sportsmanship, and helped students think through how to handle winning, losing, frustration, and teamwork in positive ways.

Through interactive questions, real-life sports scenarios, team cheers, and shared experiences, Glennwood students learned how respect, effort, and kindness show up both on the field and in everyday life. Each class wrapped up the visit by signing the Bulldog Commitment to Sportsmanship, reinforcing the values that connect Bulldogs of all ages.

This experience continues to be a powerful reminder of the impact peer leadership can have, and we are grateful for the opportunity to build strong connections across our Bulldog community.

(Pictured: Peri Jeffers, Kate Fink, Stella Peyer, Abby Campbell, Mary Frances Bell, Quinn Yedvarb, Ellison Belew, Olivia Lewis, Emily Deeb, Lena Castro, Sydney Powers, Chloe Smith, Isaac Klein, Cameron Frazier, and Juan Parrilla)

We were excited to welcome six student-athletes from Emory University to our DHS SALT meeting for a powerful panel discussion. Our Bulldogs heard firsthand about leadership, life as a college athlete, and the lessons learned in high school that continue to benefit them at the next level. This visit provided a meaningful opportunity for learning, reflection, and connection with our neighbors.

A special thank you to Corey Spraggins, DHS alumnus, for facilitating this experience. This marked our second annual visit with Emory student-athletes, and we’re grateful for the strong, supportive community we continue to build together.

Decatur High School students without a smartphone have the option to email our Athletic Director, Mr. Rodney Thomas, or our Principal, Dr. Duane Sprull, to make ticket arrangements. Communication must be at least 48 hours before the event.

Please note: This process will not apply to GHSA Playoff events hosted at Decatur High School.

We’re excited to welcome everyone to our events this year, and we are committed to ensuring every fan feels both safe and welcomed at our athletic events.

To streamline entry and support a positive experience, here’s what to know:

• Weapons detection systems will be in use at the gates to enhance safety and peace of mind.

• Bag guidelines: Only clear bags are allowed—either a clear bag up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or a small clutch (around 4.5″ × 6.5″). Exceptions are made for medically necessary or diaper bags, which will be subject to inspection.

• Faster entry is easier entry: Bringing fewer items helps everyone move through the screening process more smoothly and swiftly.

Thank you for your cooperation, and for helping us create a welcoming and secure atmosphere for Bulldog Nation.

Grab your crew and join us on Saturday, March 21st for an unforgettable night of great food, drinks, music, and Bulldog pride -- all while raising funds to support Decatur Athletics. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and you won't want to miss it.

Score $5 off your ticket through February 22 with code EARLYBIRD5. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!

Our Decatur Bulldog Boosters have something for everyone when it comes to Bulldog Swag. Start 2026 off right in your new Decatur Bulldog Spirit Wear. All proceeds go to support our BHMS and DHS Bulldog Student-Athletes!

Click the image above to browse the Shop

Many of you have been asking about Run With the Dogs, and we’re happy to share an exciting update. For the past 21 years, Run With the Dogs has been a beloved Decatur tradition, bringing our community together in the best way: on the run, for our schools.

This year, we’re trying something new. We’re thrilled to partner with the Decatur Education Foundation to add a one-mile dog run component to another hometown favorite: the amazing Tour deCatur, happening on March 14. It’s a fun new way to keep the spirit of Run With the Dogs alive while teaming up with a longtime community partner.

And looking ahead - if you’re passionate about Run With the Dogs and would love to see it return to its traditional January race format in the future, we’d love your help. We’re looking for a volunteer to lead that effort and help shape what’s next. If that sounds like you, please reach out to shawnamikes1@gmail.com.

Decatur events thrive because of community energy and leadership, and we’re excited to keep building together. 🐾🏃‍♀️

Learn more about how you can become a Bulldog Sponsor for the 2025-26 school year by clicking the button below.

We are a community of parents and guardians dedicated to enhancing the athletic experience at both DHS and BHMS—and we want you involved! Joining us is a great way to meet other families and directly impact your student's season. We meet the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the DHS Performing Arts Center (PAC) hospitality suite. Mark your calendars for our upcoming 2025-2026 meetings.

• Remaining 2026 meeting dates: Mar. 9 | Apr. 13 | May 11

Stay in the know on all things Boosters by following us on Facebook and Instagram.

@Decatur Bulldog Boosters

@rwtd5k

@decaturbulldogbash

Thursday, February 12 - State Wrestling Meet (Boys)

Thursday, February 12 - JV/V Boys' Lacrosse vs. Pace - 6:00 / 7:45 PM

Thursday, February 12 - Varsity Baseball vs. Westlake - 5:55 PM

Friday, February 13 - State Wrestling Meet (Girls)

Friday, February 13 - Region Basketball Semifinals - TBD (@Chamblee HS)

Saturday, February 14 - Region Basketball Finals - TBD (@Chamblee HS)

Saturday, February 14 - State Wrestling Meet (Girls)

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**Winter Break **

Wednesday, February 18 - Varsity Baseball vs. Midtown - 5:55 PM

Thursday, February 19 - JV Baseball vs. Loganville - 5:30 PM

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Monday, February 23 - JV Baseball vs. Brookwood - 5:30 PM

Monday, February 23 - BHMS Soccer vs. Tucker - 5:15 PM

Tuesday, February 24 - DHS Golf vs. Brookwood

Tuesday, February 24 - Varsity Soccer vs. Dunwoody - 6:00 PM

Wednesday, February 25 - JV/V Girls' Lacrosse vs. Whitewater - 5:55 PM

Wednesday, February 25 - Varsity Baseball vs. Tri-Cities - 5:55 PM

Wednesday, February 25 - 9th Soccer vs. Paideia - 5:00 PM

Thursday, February 26 - JV/V Boys' Lacrosse vs. Roswell - 6:00 PM

Friday, February 27 - Varsity Baseball vs. St. Pius X - 5:55 PM

Saturday, February 28 - JV Baseball vs. Peachtree Ridge - 12:00 PM

Duke University Head Women's Basketball Coach talks about the process of becoming great. She emphasizes the importance of developing competence and the time it takes to learn. Additionally, she recognizes that the speed of development differs for individuals, and the danger of comparing your journey with that of someone else. As adults supporting student-athletes, its important that we understand this process and have patience with our kids learning. Patience and give encouragement from us will give confidence to our kids to enjoy the process of development, regardless of the time it takes and how that compares to their peers.

When we sign up for sports, we sign up for to skill development, competition, and fun. Also included in the mix are frustration, mistakes, and disappointment. Some of the most lasting and impactful growth happens in these difficult moments and it is important to be thoughtful in our approach as supportive adults. This Positive Coaching Alliance article provides good advice for supporting athletes to in these tough moments.

How Parents/Caregivers Can Support Their Athletes Through Tough Moments

The role of an athlete's parent is challenging for many reasons! Finding opportunities for your child to participate, encouraging them to take risks, celebrating their accomplishments, supporting them through various challenges... It adds up and can take a toll. This resource from the Positive Coaching Alliance emphasizes the importance of building a partnership with your child's coach and provides helpful strategies to do so. There are many valuable lessons our students can learn through sports, many of which are not fun or easy to learn, and having adults who are working together makes the challenging times beneficial!

Tips for a Positive Parent/Caregiver-Coach Partnership

This year, the Bulldogs are partnering again with the Positive Coaching Alliance to enhance the experience of our students, coaches, and Bulldog families. The PCA has a vast number of resources that can help us make the most of our experience.

This resource is an activity we shared last year that aims at helping students and their families determine what their goals are as student-athletes. This exercise can spark some important conversations about how families decide to navigate this experience. Making sure everyone is on the same page about what desired outcomes can help to create a positive experience!

"What are YOUR Youth Sport Goals? Parent/Caregiver 100 Point Exercise"