CSD Athletics: Bulldog News

Bulldog Families,

It's Winter Sports Championship Season, and we're celebrating a number of individual champions, while our Winter Sports teams compete for Region and State titles. Our Swim, Wrestling, and Basketball Bulldogs at Decatur High and Beacon Hill are representing at the highest levels, hoping to cap a season of hard work, dedication, and teamwork with a championship. We're proud of the effort of all of our Bulldog athletes and coaches already, and excited to follow along in the coming days and weeks. JOIN US!!

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!

On Wednesday, our Girls' Wrestling team traveled to Cook County for the Area Tournament. The Bulldogs competed for an opportunity to advance to the GHSA Sectional Meet this weekend. Milly Garcia Parra finished in 5th place, and Mariyamo Abshiro finished in 6th.

And.... for the first time in Decatur High School Girls Wrestling history, Megene Chibuyu finished as Area Champion!

A big round of applause for the DHS Varsity boys and girls basketball teams, which will both advance to the Region 4-5A tournament after a hard-fought regular season. The boys' team finished the regular season with an impressive 21-4 record and a #2-seed heading into their first tournament matchup on Tuesday. The girls' team will take the court Monday as the #5-seed, and the top four finishing teams will advance to the GHSA State Playoffs. Good luck, Bulldogs! Thank you to coaches Rory Welsh and Nick DeLoach for their leadership.

Our Decatur Wrestlers competed in the DeKalb County Tournament last week and returned with some impressive individual hardware. Shout out to Ian Cooper (5th), Freddy Holbein (3rd), and Noah Jones (3rd) for their podium finishes. And a HUGE Congratulations to Nasir Braxton, Lucian Brock, and Ashton Glasgow, our 2026 County CHAMPIONS!!

On Friday, January 23, our Swim Bulldogs competed in the DeKalb County Championships, and it went swimmingly. Decatur had 25 athletes compete, and had many great swims!

We are SO excited to announce that our Boys' team is the 2026 DeKalb County CHAMPIONS and our Girls' team is the Runner-Up!

Podium finishes include: Isaiah Lewis, William Sollie, Will Sauer, Tobias Hylen, Emily Deeb, Melanie Joyner, Sidney Cape, Calla Lockwood, Charlotte Hoppin, & Albert Li. Full results linked HERE.

Next week, on February 6 and 7, we will compete at the GHSA State Swim Meet. Please congratulate the 19 Bulldogs who will represent Decatur at Georgia Tech. Each of these athletes has either an individual cut or has earned their spot on a relay by having one of the season's fastest times.

We’re proud of our student-athletes, Mary France Bell and Abby Campbell, who represented DHS at the 1st Annual 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.

Our Decatur Bulldog Booster 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. 🐾🏃‍♀️

We appreciate all of our local families and companies who step up to support our Bulldogs every year!! As noted in the graphic, the DBB plays a vital role in the success of our programs - in so many different ways!

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

Decatur Bulldog Boosters (DBB) is made up of parents and guardians who plan fun events to support Bulldog athletics at Decatur High School and Beacon Hill Middle School. Join our meetings the second Monday of every month in the DHS Performing Arts Center (PAC) hospitality suite at 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 11 ; Sept. 8 ; Oct. 13. ; Nov. 10 ; Dec. 8 ; Jan. 1 ; Feb. 9 ; 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 5 - Varsity Soccer vs. Maynard Jackson (scrimmage) - 6:00 PM

Thursday, February 5 - BHMS Girls Basketball Semi-Final - at Druid Hills MS - 5:30 PM

Saturday, February 6/7 - Swim & Dive State Meet

Saturday, February 7 - Boys' & Girls' Wrestling Sectional Tournament

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Monday, February 9 - JV Soccer vs. North Atlanta - 5:45 / 7:30 PM

Monday, February 9 - Girls Basketball Region Tournament - (@Chamblee HS)

Tuesday, February 10 - JV/V Boys' Lacrosse vs. Woodstock - 6:00/7:45 PM

Tuesday, February 10 - Varsity Baseball vs. Hebron - 5:30 PM

Tuesday, February 10 - Boys Basketball Region Tournament - (@Chamblee HS)

Wednesday, February 11 - 9th-grade Boys' Soccer vs. Northview - 5:30 PM (Ebster)

Wednesday, February 11 - JV/V Girls' Lacrosse vs. South Forsyth - 6:00 / 7:45 PM

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 - Region Basketball Semifinals - TBD (@Chamblee HS)

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

Saturday, February 14 - State Wrestling Meet

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"