CSD Athletics: Bulldog News

Bulldog Families,

As we approach the end of the academic year, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible conclusion of our Spring sports season. We are immensely proud of the effort, grit, and sportsmanship displayed by our teams, athletes, and coaches! While most have crossed their finish lines, we have one historic milestone remaining: we are thrilled to send our Boys’ Golf team to the State competition next week—marking their first appearance in recent history! This achievement will officially wrap up a remarkable 2025-2026 season.

Many have asked if things are finally slowing down as summer approaches. If you’ve been following the Bulldogs, you know the answer is a resounding "No!"

The momentum is already shifting toward next year. We have successfully held tryouts for Cheer, Volleyball, Softball, and Flag Football. Our Football team is currently wrapping up spring practices, and we invite you to join us tomorrow night for a preview of the squad as they take on Westlake!

Beyond the field, the logistics are already in motion. Summer workouts are officially scheduled. Buses are booked and ready for team camps. Our coaches are already submitting competition schedules for Fall, Winter, and Spring '27!

We loved celebrating the Class of 2026 at our inaugural Senior ESPYS and look forward to cheering them on at Graduation this Saturday. While we honor their legacy, next year already feels like it’s here and we are pumped for another year of Bulldog excellence!

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)

What a phenomenal year for our Boys Soccer team! The Bulldogs finished the season with an impressive 17-4 record, capping off their journey in the Final Four after a hard-fought battle against Johns Creek. The team’s dominance was recognized across the area as they were crowned Region Champions, placed five players on the All-Region Team, and saw our head coach named Region Coach of the Year. Congratulations on an unforgettable season!

The Boys Lacrosse team left it all on the field this year, finishing their season in the Elite Eight following a tough matchup with Roswell. The Bulldogs posted an 11-7 overall record and were perfect in conference play with a 4-0 region record, securing the title of Region Champions. Individual excellence was also on display as Charlie Green and Landon Atkinson were both named to the All-State Honorable Mention team.

Our Girls Lacrosse program showed incredible grit this spring, battling their way to the Sweet Sixteen. Finishing with a balanced 9-9 record (3-1 in the region), the Bulldogs were well-represented on the postseason awards list. Kate Bastin, Payton Sobon, Chloe Brown, and Maeve Downey were all named to the All-Region Team, with Chloe Brown earning further distinction as a Second Team All-State selection.

The speed and power of the Bulldog Track & Field program were on full display this week at the University of Georgia! We are incredibly proud of our four elite athletes who represented Decatur at the GHSA State Meet. Stepping onto the track at UGA is a dream for many, but these four made it a reality through months of grueling training and dedication. Congratulations to our runners and their coaches for a stellar season!

Please join us in celebrating the grit and athleticism of:

• Sydney Powers: 800m
  
• Busayo Oguneye: 800m
  
• Isaiah Guerrieri: 300m Hurdles
  
• Mark Sanders: 100m

The inaugural Senior ESPY Awards was a vibrant celebration of Bulldog Nation, honoring the dedication of our Class of 2026. A standout moment was celebrating 25 Seniors who committed to collegiate athletics!

Award Winners

• Scholar-Athlete: Neve Marston (Cross Country)

• True Blue Glue: Will Lewis-Benson (Volleyball)

• Comeback Athlete: Tobias Brinkley II (Basketball)

• Bulldog Spirit: Juan Parrilla (Tennis)

• Male Athlete of the Year: Isaiah Lewis (Swim & Dive)

• Female Athlete of the Year: Megene Chibuyu (Flag Football, Wrestling, Lacrosse)

• Coach of the Year: Molly Randall (Swim & Dive)

Deep appreciation to our Title Sponsor, Deborah Mitchell and RB Communications, and the Decatur Bulldog Boosters. Thanks to your generosity, we raffled over 30 major prizes—from mini-fridges to gift cards—for our Seniors and staff. Special thanks to host Nathan Green, photographer Troy Earnst, and the ESPYs Committee for an unforgettable evening.

Congratulations, Seniors—you’ve left big footsteps to follow!

Date/Time: 06/01/26 - 6:00am - 8:00am

For: All Returning Boys Basketball Players from the 2026 season JV & Varsity

Where: DHS Gym

Date/Time: 06/02/2026 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm

For: All High School Boys, rising freshman (2030) - Seniors (2027)

Where: DHS Gym

**Bring water bottle, basketball shoes, gym clothes and current physical exam**

**Closed to all spectators, potential athletes only**

Contact Coach Welsh (rory.welsh@csdecatur.net) with any questions.

Calling all future Bulldogs! Join us at Decatur High School this June for our Summer Basketball Camp hosted by Varsity Boys Coach Rory Welsh and Varsity Girls Coach Nick Deloach. This program is open to boys and girls from Kindergarten through 9th grade and runs from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

We have four exciting sessions available: June 1–5, June 8–12, June 15–18, and June 22–26. It’s a fantastic opportunity to level up your skills and get a head start on your Bulldog journey. For more information and to register now, please visit www.decaturga.com/parksrec.

Interested in running Cross Country for Decatur High School in the Fall? All athletes are invited to attend the Information meeting on May 20 in the DHS Theater at 3:45 PM. If you have questions, contact Coach Souther (msouther@csdecatur.net).

As the spring season winds down, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible effort, sportsmanship, and dedication shown by our student-athletes and coaching staffs. From the greens to the courts to the diamond, the Bulldogs represented Decatur with pride!

Celebrating Great Seasons

Congratulations to the following programs on completing fantastic seasons. Your hard work and progress this year have laid a strong foundation for the future:

• Gymnastics: For their grace, strength, and remarkable team spirit throughout the season.

• Girls’ Golf: For their focus and steady improvement on the course.

• Girls’ Tennis: For a season defined by competitive play and outstanding leadership.

State Tournament Contenders

A huge round of applause to our teams that fought their way into the GHSA State Tournament! Competing at the state level is a massive achievement, and we are so proud of the following teams for their first-round performances:

• Boys’ Tennis, Baseball, Girls’ Soccer

To all our athletes: thank you for the early mornings, the late practices, and the heart you poured into every play. To our coaches: thank you for your tireless mentorship and for guiding these young men and women both on and off the field.

Our Football Bulldogs have been working hard in the weight room to prepare for the 2026 season. Spring Football practice begins on May 1 and your opportunity to see a preview of the 2026 Bulldogs is right around the corner. Mark your calendar for May 15 at 7 PM when the Bulldogs will host Westlake High School.

We are thrilled to announce that Decatur Football has been selected to participate in the 2026 Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic! For those who know Georgia football, this is the premier kickoff event of the season, showcasing the state's most elite programs. This is a historic milestone for our team and a fantastic opportunity to showcase Bulldog Nation on a massive stage.

📅 Mark Your Calendars

• The Matchup: Decatur vs. Blessed Trinity

• Date: Thursday, August 20

• Location: Blessed Trinity High School

We are looking for a sea of Blue and Gold to travel with us and show the state what our community is all about. Get your Presale Tickets HERE to secure your spot at this exciting season opener. Let’s show up loud and proud for our boys! Go Bulldogs!

We are currently gauging interest for our upcoming Fall Football seasons at Decatur Parks & Recreation and Beacon Hill Middle School. If you have a student in grades 4–8, we need your input! Parks & Recreation and Beacon Hill Middle School are teaming up to evaluate interest in our youth football programs. Your feedback on this interest form is vital—it helps us determine team sizes, coaching needs, and how to best serve our student-athletes.

Filling out this form isn't a registration—it’s a "pulse check" to help us make the best decisions for the program.

• Who: All students, Grades 4–8

• Why: To help us plan coaching, equipment, and league structures.

• Action: Click the link below to let us know if your student is interested!

The Decatur High School Golf Team qualified for the state golf tournament through an automatic bid by finishing 2nd in the Area Tournament shooting a total score of 317 (79 scoring average). This is the first time Decatur High has ever qualified for the State Golf Tournament in over 20 years. The team was led by Senior captain, William Campbell who fired a 77, Junior dual-sport threat, Andrew Westerkom, who carded the low score of the day for the team at 76, Senior standout, Owen De Winne, who fired an 83, and junior phenom, Austin Nobles, who recorded an 81. Other golfers representing Decatur were Henry Widener, Rossi Chamberlain, dual sport standout Parker Jordan, and Jacob Pinyon.

The team will compete on May 18th and 19th at Jekyll Island Golf Club for an opportunity to win the state championship in the 36-hole stroke play championship.

Decatur Soccer invites youth aged 5-13 (rising k-8th grade) to take part in our 3v3 Soccer Tournament, powered by Decatur WatchFest 26—a fun, flexible, and community-focused event that’s led by DHS soccer players and coaches. Join us Saturday, June 20th from 8:30 to 12 noon at Decatur High School Stadium with plenty of parking and just a short walk from the Decatur MARTA Station and Decatur WatchFest.

Kids can form a team of up to 5 players—whether it’s friends, classmates, or teammates—and sign up at the link below for just $75 per team (payable separately via GoFan). With no uniforms required (pennies provided) and small-sided 3v3 match play run by our DHS players, this format keeps things simple while maximizing touches, engagement, and fun for every player.

The tournament is open to girls, boys, and co-ed teams (co-ed teams will play in the boys bracket), with divisions based on rising school year: K–1, 2–3, 4–5, and 6–8.

It’s a great way to celebrate Decatur WatchFest and FIFA World Cup 26™ while supporting the Decatur Soccer program, and give your child a fun soccer experience without a big time commitment—just gather a group, register, and show up ready to play.

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.

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

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

Friday, May 15 - Varsity Football vs. Westlake - 7:00 PM

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Monday, May 18 - Varsity Golf State Competition

Shifting our mindset is sometimes the difference between breaking through to the next level of successThis episode from "The Sports Psychology Coaching Podcast" highlights three mindset shifts to help athletes

• Focusing on "How" to win vs. "Wanting" to Win

• Changing the Way you See Mistakes

• Changing Where you Get your Confidence

The 2026 Winter Olympics provided us with countless unforgettable moments—from record-breaking runs on the slopes to the display of pure grit on the ice. But beyond the medals and the highlight reels, these Games offered a masterclass in the many lessons that sports provide as an unparalleled educational and character-building opportunity.

One of the most resonant messages came from Olympic skier Eileen Gu. She argues that the true power of sports is how they provide evidence over affirmation.

While it’s common to try to "talk ourselves into" being brave, Gu explains that real self-trust isn't about telling yourself a "chipper little line" at the last second. Instead, it is the result of the radical honesty of training—knowing you showed up early, stayed late, and gave 100% when no one else was watching.

At its core, this is why we value the student-athlete experience so highly. Sports are a laboratory for character; they teach our students that confidence isn't a feeling they have to wait for, but a muscle they build through a "decade of hard work".

Whether in the classroom, the lab, or future career paths, confidence through sport is something we hope all of our Bulldog student-athletes gain and utilize in every pursuit. It is the quiet, internal knowledge that they can handle the pressure because they have already done it, time and again.

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"