The Bulldogs are off and running!

Cross Country will officially start the 2025-2026 UMS-Wright Athletics calendar year with a meet in Daphne tonight.  The Admiral's Invitational, hosted by Bayside Academy, will feature 14 local schools in the season's first meet.  There are 4 different races beginning with the JV Girls at 7:10, followed every 20 minutes by the JV Boys, Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys.  The Bulldogs compete in 6A again this year, and will get an early look at the Section 1 runners from Bayside, Gulf Shores, McGill-Toolen and Spanish Fort.

For the boys squad, Peyton Holderer returns for his senior year after placing 4th in last year's state meet and leading the team to a 4th place finish.  Peyton is joined by fellow seniors Malcolm Warren and Tate McAnnally.  These three seniors are all in their sixth year running in the UMS-W cross country program.  Also returning are 2024 State Meet participants Steven Davis, Noah Gautier, Burns Willis, Josue Heath and Joshua Cole.

On the girls team, junior Mallory Helms had a breakthrough season last year capping it off with a 6th place finish in the 6A state meet.  Khandro Butler is the lone senior on the girls' team this year, and brings great experience and leadership to a relatively young group.  Kenly Cooper, Molly Pugh and Skinner Childers make up the junior class and all ran in Oakville last November.  Four middle-schoolers also return with State Meet experience: Caroline Helms, Farrah Wright, Mary Carolyn Napp and Emory Roe.  With a 9th place finish at State last year, this young group will be moving up the results board all season long.