Wrestling coach Roy Tambunga has had the rare experience of sending at least one wrestler to the state-level matches every year for the last 20 years.
Tamunga started at Akins in 2002, which is just two years after the school opened in 2000. Tambunga has worked as a science teacher and wrestling coach ever since.The most recent student to make it to state was senior Deonne Topete, who placed 5th in February. Topete also made her own unique achievement by making it state every year while a student at Akins.
Attending state-level competitions is a very challenging process, and only a few programs consistently send athletes to state tournaments.The Akins wrestling team is one of those programs. Tambunga is very sport-specific and pays very close attention to detail. He know show to well prepare his students when they face difficult competition.
The Eagle’s Eye asked Coach Tambunga about the steps he takes in getting his wrestlers ready for the year.
“We’ve already started for next year . As soon as you see the season end, it’s already over, Tambunga said. “The next week, we give them a week off, and we were starting already for next year.”
Tambunga said it is important to condition students to improve their skill.
“They have to make sure their mental health is strong, and mental toughness is probably the most challenging because they don’t understand the things that we improve,” he said. “They think it’s physical, which it is physical, but it’s really to improve how mentally tough they are.”
Before he worked in wrestling, Tambunga was a boxer for 14 years. During his time boxing, he realized his enjoyment for the physicality of wrestling.
“I grew up fighting, I enjoy the physicality of it,” he said.
Wrestling wasn’t even a class when Tambunga started at Akins.
“We used to have zero hours which was before school. So we weren’t even a real class, so it ‘s a lot more respected now.”
The wrestling program exceeded many expectations not only by making it state-level but also because of the hard work and passion that the students have for the sport of wrestling.
Tambunga believes that after a student graduates, other students step up to take leadership roles in the program.
“I think that it’s the expectation. And when one leaves, I usually end up having another one that usually steps up before they leave,” he said. So that’s why the chain has been unbroken,” he said. “So this year Deonne is our state wrestler, and so hopefully by the time she leaves, there’ll be other a couple of other ones that kind of figure out what it takes to be that good.”
Joseph Saxe, co-athletic coordinator and head football coach, said the wrestling program is something that athletes are proud of. He said he appreciates how Tambunga has raised the standard for Akins.
“Athletic performance. He is always learning and improving which has kept him at the top of the profession for so long,” Saxe said.
Tambunga says he is proud of the wrestling students and feels blessed to have students who are committed to the sport of wrestling.
“I’ve been blessed to have some pretty good kids.And truthfully, all my students have been very successful,” he said. Amanda Thomas, co-athletic coordinator and head volleyball coach, said she thinks that Tambunga demands the very best, but he also maintains a good relationship with his student athletes.
“He is known for helping and encouraging struggling students to become the best and lets them take it out on the mat,” she said.
Tambunga has not only coached wrestling but has coached almost every other program Akins Athletics offers and does it with the same passion he has for wrestling. His teaching career at Akins is one of the main pillars of athletics.
To celebrate Tambunga’s 20-year streak, the Akins coaching staff presented him with a GOAT cake to recognize his status as the “Greatest of All Time” at Akins during a sendoff event for Toepte before she traveled to the state tournament.
