Three Vidalia Wrestlers Bound for State; Lady Indians Make History

The Vidalia High School wrestling program has punched three tickets to the GHSA State Wrestling Tournament, capping off a historic postseason run for the Lady Indians and a strong showing for the Indians. Messiah Salem, Alexander Muzafaraov, and Cayleb Sanford have all officially qualified for the biggest stage in Georgia high school wrestling, reflecting months of dedication and discipline.

Leading the way for the Lady Indians is Messiah Salem (130 lbs), who is in the midst of a breakout season. Salem dominated her bracket at the Area 1 Traditional Tournament to become the first women’s wrestling Area Champion in Vidalia High School history. She followed up that milestone by battling through a demanding state qualifier, using strong technique and consistent pressure to earn her spot at state.

On the boys' side, Alexander Muzafaraov (157 lbs) and Cayleb Sanford (165 lbs) delivered clutch performances to join Salem as state qualifiers. Muzafaraov wrestled with aggression and confidence, pushing the pace in his matches to secure his qualification. Sanford showcased smart mat awareness and composure under pressure, navigating a tough bracket to ensure his season continued at the state tournament.

Beyond the state qualifiers, the Lady Indians impressed as a team at the highly competitive Area 1 Traditional Tournament. Competing against some of the top talent in the state, they were represented across five weight classes, including Abby Hunt (115), Imani Hall (135), and Timya Mills (170). Heavyweight Zakhia White (235) battled through a deep bracket to earn a 5th-place finish, securing a spot as an alternate.

The trio of Salem, Muzafaraov, and Sanford now turn their attention to the state tournament, where they will compete against the best wrestlers in Georgia. The boys will take part in the State Tournament on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, while the girls State Meet will be on Friday and Saturday of this week.