Prairie High junior Faith Tarrant walked into the Tacoma Dome with more confidence than before to win her third girls 235-pound wrestling state championship in the 3A/4A class on Saturday, Feb. 17.
Tarrant pinned Katherine Petersen from Tahoma High School in Maple Valley in the second round to go 3 for 3 in the championship match in her junior year. She has now completed her second-straight undefeated season by pinning every opponent. Her third title topped off her 38-0 campaign.
The title match was Tarrant’s only one to go into the second round. With the score 0-0 after one round, Tarrant started the second positioned on top. She said that added to her confidence to seal the deal.
“I didn’t mind it going 0-0 because I’m confident with my ability being on top,” She said. “So being 0-0 in the first round was OK with me.”
Tarrant felt a lot more confident in her third appearance at the Mat Classic.
“I think I was just more confident in my ability being there for the third time,” Tarrant said. “I didn’t have the same feelings as I did my freshman, sophomore year. I wasn’t as nervous. … I felt confident in my ability that I could win a third state title.”
She added that trying to stay level headed and being aware of how she’s doing while on the mat have made her successful.
“... Making sure I’m wrestling smart. I believe that anyone can go out there and lose,” Tarrant said.
Tarrant’s greater confidence this time around wasn’t just from her third appearance at state in three years of high school, but from pushing herself at practices.
“I felt ready this time, like, I knew it was coming. I knew what was going to happen,” Tarrant said. “I knew what they looked like, and I was preparing for that at practice.”
Since girls wrestling was implemented at the Mat Classic in 2004, only 14 other girls have earned three or more state titles. Tarrant added that she is proud of the growth of girls wrestling in the state of Washington.
“I’ve seen it grow by the amount of girls. Our divisions being able to split up has been really cool, and just seeing how big the girls wrestling community is,” Tarrant said. “When you go to a boys tournament, you don’t see boys being friends, you know, like hugging each other, being happy for one another. When us girls are at tournaments, you know, we’re happy for each other. Like when other girls win, we have friendships and relationships outside of just being on the mat.”
Tarrant credits much of her success to her No. 1 fan — her mother, Nicole Tarrant.
“It’s been amazing just knowing that I always have someone by my side, you know, who cares a lot and wants to see the best for me, [it] is amazing,” Faith Tarrant said of her mother.
Tarrant’s teammates have inspired her success as well, especially boys wrestler Seth Blick and teammate Aaliyah Young. Blick has helped Tarrant throughout the season by pushing her to make sure she continues to work hard. Young and Tarrant have been wrestling partners throughout the seasons.
Tarrant has a quick turnaround from Washington state champion to preparing for her senior season and aspirations beyond high school. Tarrant said she will begin club wrestling this week.
Other wrestlers to place in the Mat Classic
