By the time Justin and Jeremy Thomas entered high school, their trophy case was already overflowing with wrestling awards earned at meets across the country.
They won national titles, were Folkstyle State champions and captured Reno National titles. When the twin brothers were in the eighth grade, they both won frosh/soph state titles.
“They definitely put in the work,” their father, Dave Thomas, said. “They’ve always worked hard. I would guess they had over 1,000 matches before they entered high school.”
The goal of winning a state title had eluded both of them through their first three years at Santiago High of Corona. Justin had a fourth-, third- and second-place finishes. Jeremy had a third-place finish as a junior.
They transferred to Calvary Chapel for their senior season. In November, both signed letters of intent with Oklahoma.
From there, they focused on ending their final year of high school by winning CIF State titles together.
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ALL-COUNTY BOYS WRESTLING
• Boys wrestling coach of the year: Cliff Jarmie, Laguna Hills
• Boys co-wrestlers of the year: Jeremy and Justin Thomas, Calvary Chapel
• All-County boys wrestling: First team
• All-County boys wrestling: Second, third teams
• Girls wrestler of the year: Gabby Garcia, Valencia
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It took some late-match heroics from both, but they added their names to the list of state champions. Justin needed a takedown with seven seconds remaining to win the 160-pound final, and Jeremy rallied from a five-point deficit to win the 170-pound title at the CIF State Championships on March 5.
Dream accomplished.
“It was a super special moment for us,” Justin said. “We’ve always dreamed about it, and to finally do it was awesome. It was a great way to cap off our senior years.”
For their performance this season, Justin and Jeremy Thomas are the Register’s boys co-wrestlers of the year.
Justin was second at the Walsh Ironman and Doc Buchanan Invitational and first at Five Counties, Orange Coast League finals, CIF-SS Individuals and Masters. He posted a 28-2 record.
He recently underwent surgery for a torn labrum. He said he initially injured the shoulder before the season started.
Jeremy was first at CIT Morro Bay, Orange Coast League finals, CIF-SS Individuals. He was second at the Walsh Ironman, Doc Buchanan Invitational and Masters. He ended the season 29-3.
Their journey started when the brothers were five years old. When they were eight, as second-graders at Seacliff Elementary School in Huntington Beach, they met in the finals of the 58-pound division of the Reno World Championships.
As they grew older, their love for the sport only intensified. They remember taking trips to Bakersfield watch the CIF State tournament, making it even more special the way they closed this chapter of their wrestling careers.
“It has been a long road,” Jeremy Thomas said. “We’ve been doing this (wrestling) for a long time, there have been a lot of ups and downs and it has paid off.”
Next stop, Oklahoma.
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
