Federal Way’s Austin May and Meeghan Meagher named Athletes of the Year

Federal Way High School swept the Federal Way Mirror Athletes of the Year awards this year as both senior Austin May and senior Meeghan Meagher were selected by the community.

Held June 2 at Federal Way High School, the Athlete of the Year Ceremony is an annual celebration by both Federal Way Public Schools and the Federal Way Mirror to honor the athletic achievements of students at all four high schools.

Decatur, Federal Way, Thomas Jefferson and Todd Beamer high schools all submitted Athletes of the Week throughout the school year, and each school selected two boys and two girls to be the nominees for Athlete of the Year. From there, the community voted on who they deem worthy.

This year, almost 40,000 votes were cast during the weeklong poll — 26,613 more votes than last year. Every athlete had at least 500 votes in this year’s vote.

Seeing that community support was very meaningful for May and Meagher.

“It’s cool to see the recognition. It’s cool to see that what is being done is being seen,” May said.

Austin May

May played both football and ran track for the Eagles all four years of high school. He is planning on attending Whitworth University in Spokane next fall to continue his athletic endeavors on the gridiron and on the track.

“It feels great. Having a family that has been through Fed, it feels good to continue that legacy,” May said.

On the football field, May was the weapon for head coach Marcus Yzaguirre. May had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage, 19 touchdowns and was named first team all-state wide receiver. That was just his senior campaign. On the track, May ran the 100 and 200, and was a leg in the 4×100 meter relay.

May finished eighth in the 100 at this year’s state championships on May 30, and was the starting leg of the relay that took second. He was on the state champion team in 2023, and is a senior class representative while maintaining a 3.7 GPA.

Meeghan Meagher

Meagher played all three seasons in the blue and white every year of her high school career. She received a varsity letter every season, leaving Federal Way with 12 letters. She was the captain of the soccer, basketball and fastpitch teams during her final year.

“I feel really proud. But most of all, I am proud of the culture we have created on all three teams. That’s what I am most proud of, but it feels pretty good to end my senior year this way,” Meagher said.

Meagher is heading to Lewis and Clark College (Portland) to play softball. After four years at Federal Way, Meagher hit .571 and slugged 1.035. She hit eight home runs and was a second team all-NPSL player this past season. She paid tribute to her coach Bingham Togia after being named Athlete of the Year: “He always believes in us, more than we believe in ourselves,” Meagher said.

In Meagher’s three previous seasons before her senior year, Federal Way had won five games in each season. In her senior year, they finally broke through and won an additional sixth game, even making the district tournament for the first time since 2019.

“We performed the best we ever have and Coach Togia inspired me to be a leader and use my voice. I couldn’t have done it without him,” Meagher said.

Other nominees

• Amyah Johnson, junior, Decatur High School: Swim and dive, gymnastics, tennis

• Madelyn Mitchell, senior, Decatur High School: Cross country, track and field

• Marina Velasco-Bono, junior, Federal Way High School: Soccer, wrestling, and track

• Annette Sagale, junior, Todd Beamer High School: Volleyball, flag football, fastpitch

• Sydney Wells, sophomore, Todd Beamer High School: Cross country, track and field

• Emily Kropp, senior, Thomas Jefferson High School: Cross country, bowling and fastpitch

• Madison Burt, senior, Thomas Jefferson High School: Swimming, gymnastics, track and field

• Nehemiah Washington, senior, Decatur High School: Football, wrestling, track and field

• Spencer Holloway, senior, Decatur High School: Football, baseball

• Zamarie Tellez, junior, Federal Way High School: Football and track

• Gavin Cook, senior, Todd Beamer High School: Football, wrestling and baseball

• Keith Rogers Jr., senior, Todd Beamer High School: Football, basketball, track and field

• Kort Baker, senior, Thomas Jefferson High School: Swimming, baseball

• Makai Drung, senior, Thomas Jefferson High School: Football, wrestling, track and field

Federal Way Mirror Sports Reporter Ben Ray stands with the Athlete of the Year Winners Austin May (center) and Meeghan Meagher (right). Photo provided by FWPS

Meeghan Meagher stands with Dr. Dani Pfeiffer (left), Federal Way Director of Equity and Athletics John Yellam (center right) and Federal Way Mirror Sports Reporter Ben Ray (far right). Photo provided by FWPS.

Austin May stands with Dr. Dani Pfeiffer (left), Federal Way Director of Equity and Athletics John Yellam (center right) and Federal Way Mirror Sports Reporter Ben Ray (far right). Photo provided by FWPS.

Courtesy photo Todd Beamer High School’s nominees included Annette Sagale, junior; Sydney Wells, sophomore; Keith Rogers Jr., senior; and Gavin Cook, senior.

Courtesy photo Decatur High School’s nominees included Amyah Johnson, junior; Madelyn Mitchell, senior; Spencer Holloway, senior; and Nehemiah Washington, senior.

Courtesy photo Federal Way High School’s nominees included Meeghan Meagher, senior; Austin May, senior; Zamarie Tellez, junior; and Marina Velasco-Bono, junior (not pictured).