Wrestling Her Way to the Top: Senior Abby Tuller Competes at State

For Morro Bay High School senior Abby Tuller, reaching the state wrestling tournament was not something that seemed possible when she first started the sport. In fact, during her freshman year, Tuller won just one match the entire season.

Now, four years later, she stands among the top wrestlers in California. Tuller credits perseverance and hard work for her journey to the state championship. “I feel like it really took a lot of perseverance,” Tuller said. “My freshman year, I only won one match the whole season, so it definitely took a lot of hard work and dedication to keep going after that.”

Like many student-athletes, balancing academics with a demanding sport was also part of the challenge. “There were definitely times where I was falling behind in school because of wrestling,” Tuller said. “And there were times when I was sick but still came to practice just to keep up with the progress.”

Qualifying for the state tournament requires advancing through several levels of competition. Wrestlers first compete at CIF. From there, athletes must place in the top eight to qualify for the Masters tournament. At Masters, only the top five finishers advance to the state championship. “That gets you into the top 32 in the state,” Tuller said.

Having strong mentorship also played a key role in her development, especially from a coach who still actively competes in the sport. “I think having a coach who is currently competing helps a lot because she can relate to what we’re going through right now,” Tuller said. “She’s also the only female coach I have, and that really helps because women’s wrestling can be different.”

Tuller believes representation and support are especially important in the sport. “If girls are surrounded by women who believe in themselves and know they’re good enough, it can really make a difference,” Tuller said.

Despite the intensity of the state tournament, Tuller approached the competition with a mindset focused on enjoyment rather than pressure. “I was actually more nervous at Masters,” she said. “By the time state rolled around, I was just excited to compete and be around such a high level of competition. I just wanted to go out there and have fun.”

Looking back on her freshman year, Tuller said she never imagined she would eventually compete at the state level. “I remember thinking I’d never be as good as some of the girls I was seeing,” Tuller said. “But this year, my mindset was different. I felt like I had nothing to lose.”

Her role on the team also changed over time. As a senior, Tuller stepped into a leadership position, helping guide younger wrestlers during practices.

“Having freshmen look up to me and ask me questions helped build my confidence,” Tuller said. “Teaching the moves made me realize that I really do understand the sport.” For younger teammates hoping to follow a similar path, Tuller emphasizes patience and persistence. Tuller explained not to  “get discouraged by losses.” “So much can happen in four years if you put the time and dedication into it. Learn from failure instead of dwelling on it,” Tuller said.

When she stepped onto the mat at the state tournament, Tuller knew she wasn’t competing just for herself. “I definitely felt like I was representing Morro Bay High School,” she said. “Having the support of teachers, staff, and other students made it feel like I was representing the whole school.”

From a freshman season with just one win to competing among the best wrestlers in California, Tuller’s journey stands as a testament to what perseverance and belief can accomplish.