Indians Run In Two Meets

Courtesy of VHS

The Vidalia High School cross country teams were busy last week as they competed in the Bulldog Invitational at Toombs County High School and then were in Gray for the Ranchers Release the Hounds cross country meet.

Bulldog Invitational

The Vidalia Indians Cross Country team turned in a gritty performance at the Toombs County Bulldog Invita-tional— better known as the Bulldog Dash—on Thursday, September 18, proving their mettle on the demanding 5K course at Toombs County High School. The boys' squad powered to a convincing team victory, while the program as a whole celebrated a remarkable 13 personal bests out of 17 runners. The boys and girls combined scores were enough to bring home the Grand Champion trophy.

Boys

In the boys' race, Vidalia claimed first place with a dominant 45 points, leaving second-place Toombs County far behind at 106 points and Statesboro in third with 161. The Indians' top-five finishers exemplified the pack-running philosophy that has defined their success, delivering a low score that showcased depth and determination.

Cash Driggers led the charge, blazing to third place overall in 17:54. Right behind him, Wyatt Vassey held strong for fourth in 18:29, followed closely by Simon Collins in fifth at 18:33. Greg Taylor kept the momentum rolling with sixth place in 18:39, and Marvin Onate sealed the top-five scoring punch in 20:01 with another personal best. Their collective effort, packed tightly in the top six, turned what could have been a competitive field into a Vidalia showcase.

'Cash set the tone up front, but Wyatt, Simon, Greg, and Marvin's consistency made the difference. It's early, but this feels like the start of something special. They have had to be patient for a day like this and the patience has paid off.'

Girls

The Lady Indians, meanwhile, battled fiercely to secure fourth place as a team with 124 points in a stacked girls' field. Islands High School topped the standings at 61 points, followed by Frederica at 91 and Statesboro at 95. Vidalia's standout performers included Judith Hussey, who earned a strong fourth-place finish, and Emilynn Campbell in 15th with another personal best. Cannon Sharpton, Dayanna Onate, Giselle Garcia and Stella Siegmund all turned in personal best times as well.

What elevated the entire Vidalia contingent beyond the placings was the wave of personal breakthroughs: 13 out of 17 runners shattered their previous bests on the Lyons course, a mix of flat sprints and rolling hills that rewarded resilience. From freshmen finding their stride to veterans pushing limits, these PRs underscore the program's emphasis on progressive training and mental toughness.

“Coach Meredith and I are very excited about these results as we move closer to the post season. It was a great day, but they still have work to do and they are willing to put in the work to achieve excellent results”

Release The Hounds

On September 20, the Vidalia High School cross country team hit the trails Ranchers Release the Hounds cross country meet in Gray. Amidst a field of talented runners, the Indians and Lady Indians delivered standout performances, blending personal milestones with team tenacity.

Boys

Leading the charge for the boys was senior Cash Driggers, who claimed an exhilarating 5th-place finish and shattered his personal best with a time 17:35.Greg Taylor notched his own PR at 18:37, signaling a surge in form. The pack followed with freshman Wyatt Vassey, Simon Collins, Marvin Onate, Kartel Lane, and Brennan Hammock. Their collective effort underscored Vidalia's rising depth as they rallied to a 4th place team finish.

Girls

The Lady Indians, equally fierce, were ignited by junior Judith Hussey's commanding 12th-place run, clocking 22:13—a testament to her training rigor. Trailing with poise, Emilynn Campbell, Cannon Sharpton, Dayanna Onate, and Stella Siegmund closed strong, embodying team spirit.

'At the end of the day, I am proud of the efforts put forth by this team. Coming off of the Bulldog Dash on Thursday they stepped up huge while running on tired legs, we got to see them dig deep and persevere with great results. This is a true testament to these kids and the hard work they have put forth throughout the season.'

The Indians hit the road on October 2nd to Compete in the Bleckley County Invitational.