Federal Way girls wrestler Tally Thomas spent four years preparing for her moment.
Thomas came to Travis Mango’s illustrious wrestling program as an undersized freshman with no wrestling experience. After spending the last four years training with Mango, Thomas culminated her Eagles wrestling career with an unblemished, untouchable run through the state tournament, which resulted in her capturing a state championship in the 170-pound weight class after pinning Sunnyside’s undefeated Aylin Bautista in 4 minutes, 43 seconds.
“The girl was really strong and really athletic,” Thomas said. “I knew I had to be patient and kind of wear her down. I knew if I could get to the third round I could give her a hard push.”
When Thomas rose to her feet after her pin fall victory, she returned to her normal self. She stuck out her tongue and gave the crowd a celebratory shimmy dance.
With these efforts, Thomas helped Federal Way jump into a 22-16 lead over Othello after the first day. Yelm, however, came back from third place all the way to win the state team title for girls wrestling, defeating Federal Way 97-91.
Mango said Thomas deserved her win.
“I’m so damn proud of her,” Mango said. “She’s our competitive leader, and she went through and dominated the competition from every position. She didn’t really give anyone the opportunity to score on her.
“She finished her night and her career exactly the the way she should have.”
Round after round, Thomas made quick work of her opponents. She took care of Mabton’s Reyna Huecias in short order.
It took her half the time to pin Highline’s Caylee Collins and earn her spot in the final match against Bautista.
Thomas said there was no secret, no special preparation, no superstition to help her reach the tournament final. Instead, Thomas faced the daunting task of capturing a state championship in her final opportunity and made the most of it.
“I embrace the pressure, and I love it,” Thomas said.
Mango said Thomas’ ability to face pressure head on makes her a champion-caliber wrestler.
“I really think it was her will and determination — and talent,” Mango laughed. “That helped not only get her through the injury but just make her better all around.”
It’s the same determination Mango saw from Thomas as a freshman.
Mango remembers when the two met in the weight room and had their first conversation about the future.
Thomas wanted to make it to state. Mango didn’t know if she’d make it out of her first match.
She not only proved him wrong, Thomas accomplished exactly what she set out to do only a few months earlier — she qualified for state.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Mango said. “She worked unbelievably hard, and she made it to state.”
Unfortunately, while preparing for the state tournement, Thomas suffered an injury that prevented her from competing.
Thomas harnessed the same focus she used to bulldoze her way through this year’s state tournament to come back to the Eagles’ program stronger than ever following her injury.
She responded by securing a spot in the state tournament her sophomore and junior seasons.
Thomas reached the semifinal match both times, and she nearly earned a trip to the state finals but fell just short.
Mango said most people outside of the sport don’t realize how hard it is for wrestlers to come back from an injury and dominate the way Thomas has over the last three seasons.
“She came back and made the semifinals three years in a row,” Mango said. “That is so incredibly difficult to do at this level.”
Thomas entered the sport at 14 with no experience. In turn, she regularly made quick work of club and state-ranked wrestlers year after year.
This year, to help ensure her team qualified for the state tournament, Thomas dropped roughly 15 pounds in the fall so she could wrestle in the 155-pound class in dual meets.
All of the struggle, all of the work and all of the sacrifice crescendoed with a final record of 33-1 and a state championship victory.
It took Thomas four years to prepare for her dream of a state championship. It took her less than five minutes to bring that dream to reality.
“I’ve said it a million times,” Mango said. “She’s really the kind of kid who, with the bigger the moment, the better she performs. She showed that in the finals. Yeah, she’s definitely someone special.”
FEDERAL WAY WRESTLING ROUNDUP
Aside from Thomas, Amanda Henderson, Anabella Garcia, Anjilia Sumandig, Marlin Gonzalez, Tupu Lologo and Mariah Stewart all represented the Eagles at the state tournament.
On the boys side, the Federal Way Eagles sent Bo Madera to the state championships in the 126-pound category.
With her always present upbeat personality, Federal Way senior wrestler Tally Thomas couldn’t help but celebrate after winning her first state championship. Photo courtesy of Dennis Box
Federal Way girls wrestler Tally Thomas embraces Federal Way coach Travis Mango after winning her first state championship. Photo courtesy of Dennis Box
Federal Way girls wrestler Tally Thomas locks up in pursuit of winning the 2016 state title. Photo courtesy of Dennis Box
