Championships, Comebacks, and History:
A Look Back In Sports for 2025
It was a big year for local sports in 2025. From Area and Region Championships to State Titles, local athletes proved they are among the best in the state. These are the top stories from 2025 in chronological order.
January 15 Sasser & Sweat Win Pickleball Gold Local pickleball players Maria Sasser and Terry Sweat won Gold Medals for their first-place finishes at the Georgia Recreation & Parks Association’s State Tournament and in the Southern Pickleball Championship Tournament.
Maria is from Vidalia and Terry lives in Zaidee, but they competed as partners representing the Vidalia Recreation Department at the GRPA State Tournament held at the Macon Indoor Pickleball Club in September. The pair went undefeated in six games at the 3.0 skill level of the 60-and-above age division to become State Champions.
On January 4, 2025, Maria and Terry competed in the Southern Pickleball Championships against players from Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida. Once again, they went undefeated as they won Gold Medals in the 60-and-above division. The event was held at Macon’s Rhythm & Rally Sports and Events, the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility.
The Sweet Onion Pickleball Association and the Vidalia Recreation Department congratulate these ladies for their accomplishments. Maria and Terry encourage everyone to come out to the VRD pickleball courts to learn and enjoy playing this popular sport with the local community. January 22 Bulldogs Are State Runner-Up The Toombs County High School wrestling team maintained their winning energy, traveling to Dublin to compete at the Area Dual Championships. It was a dominant showing for the MatDawgs as they rolled to the Area Dual Title.
Toombs then moved on to the State Dual Championships held at Heard County High School. The Bulldogs battled their way to the finals but met powerhouse Social Circle. It was the second year in a row the Bulldogs finished as continued from page
State Runner-up. The MatDawgs set the tone early with an 83-0 win over Montgomery County in the first round of Area. In the second round, the MatDawgs dropped only two individual matches in a 71-8 win over Fitzgerald, setting up a final against Dublin. The Irish brought some fight, winning four individual matches, but the Bulldogs had little to worry about, securing the Area Championship with a score of 60-18. The top two teams from each Area earned bids to the State Dual Championships in Franklin, GA.
At the State Dual Championships, the Bulldogs took on Berrien County in the first round, rolling to a 66-13 victory. That set them up against Gordon Lee in the second round. This was a tougher match, but the Bulldogs came out on top, 48-26, to earn a spot in the semifinals.
Against Bremen in the semifinals, Toombs got wins from Lukas Young (106 lbs) and Walker Bunch (113 lbs) to take the early lead. Bremen tied the match at 12-12, but a decision by Wyatt Bunch at 126 lbs put the Bulldogs back on top. Bremen took a 21-15 lead, but wins by Robert Agzigian, Tyson Brantley, and Dabvn Wadley put the Bulldogs in front 25-21. A big technical fall win from Lucas Coley at 175 lbs gave the Bulldogs a 30-24 lead. Leeson Allen then got an 8-2 decision at 190 lbs to give Toombs a cushion. Bremen won the final match, but it wasn’t enough as the Bulldogs took the victory, 33-30, advancing to the finals.
Toombs gave it their all in the Championship, but Social Circle was too much, defeating the Bulldogs in the finals 51-18. Toombs picked up a win from Bunch at 126 lbs in a close 13-12 decision. Brantley picked up a major victory at 144 lbs, Wadley won by pin at 157 lbs, and Coley won by technical fall at 175 lbs. It is the second consecutive State Runnerup finish for the Bulldogs.
February 19 Local Wrestlers Win State Titles It was a banner weekend for the Toombs County and Vidalia High School wrestling teams at the GHSA State Traditional Wrestling Tournament in Macon. The Bulldogs and Indians each had two State Champions and several placers. Toombs also came away as the State Runner-up as a team behind Social Circle.
The Bulldog brothers Walker and Wyatt Bunch went back-to-back as State Champions. Walker claimed the State Title at 120 lbs, defeating Cohen Hargrove of Social Circle 10-5. His brother Wyatt followed with a Championship at 126 lbs, beating Elijah Karr of Bremen in a 9-2 decision. Also placing for Toombs was Jahir Lopez (3rd at 113 lbs), Lucas Coley (3rd at 165 lbs), Tyson Brantly (4th at 144 lbs), and Lukas Young (6th at 106 lbs).
The Vidalia Indians also had two wrestlers bring home State Championships, winning back-toback matches at 175 lbs and 190 lbs. Duece Hightower is now a back-to-back State Champion, earning his title at 175 lbs with an 8-1 decision over Ryder Schaltenbrand of Mt. Paran Christian. Jack Godbee also won his second consecutive State Championship at 190 lbs. Godbee won a thriller over Steele Brown from Mt. Pisgah Christian, scoring 8 points in the final 37 seconds to erase a deficit and win 107.
February 19 Lady Indians Win Region Title The Vidalia High School Lady Indians basketball team won the Region Championship, while the boys finished third after an upset by Toombs County in the semifinals.
The Lady Indians jumped out to a 15-5 lead in the first quarter against Swainsboro and extended that to 31-18 at halftime. VHS continued to pull away in the second half, winning 60-47 to advance to the Championship Game.
(L to R, Front): Jahir Lopez, Jericho Latoy, Ethan Story, Wyatt Bunch, Tyson Brantley, Dylan Vetter, Slade Landrum, Alex Otero; (Middle): Ricardo Santana, Jessie McCoy, Lukas Young, Walker Bunch, Dabvn Wadley, Lucas Coley; (Back): Coach Trey Cranford, Head Coach Todd Allen, Roman Coley, JJ Pacheco, Moises Young, Clark Brannen, Clayton Williams, Hayden Roy, Robert Bruce Agzigian, Zykorie Mason, Sebastian Crow, Dakota Malone, Jamarcus Johnson, DJ Jordan, Cruz Phillips, Leeson Allen, and Coach Joe Coley..Photo by TCHS
Terry Sweat (L) and Maria Sasser (R) brought home the Gold from the Southern Pickleball Championship.
The Robert Toombs Lady Crusaders claim their second State Championship in a row.Photo by Mike Branch
(L to R, Front): Fred Godbee (father), Jack Godbee, Mandy Godbee (mother); (Back): Gray Meredith.Photo by Mike Branch
2025 Cheer Coach of the Year Ann Michelle Toole.Photo by VHS
