Colfax-Mingo’s Tomas ready for next challenge

Zach Tomas has been a staple in the Colfax-Mingo School District for more than a decade.

He’s been the head coach of the girls track and field team and the boys and girls cross country teams for most of that time. He’s also worked with the kickers on the Tigerhawk football team.

While Tomas has never coached wrestling, the veteran head coach has wrestled with a tough decision twice during his time at the school.

And he just couldn’t pass up the third opportunity that was offered to him and will guide the inaugural girls soccer program when it starts this spring.

“It was pretty hard,” Tomas said about choosing to step away from the girls track and field program. When you do something for that long, it’s going be to hard to step away from it.

“But, I’m excited for a new challenge. I’m excited to start something brand new.”

While Tomas spent 15 seasons as the girls track and field coach and currently serves as Colfax-Mingo’s cross country coach, his soccer roots also run deep.

He played high school soccer during his prep days at Clear Creek-Amana and that led to a football opportunity as a kicker for the Wartburg College Knights.

Tomas also has played soccer as an adult in the Iowa Games.

“Colfax-Mingo is thrilled that Coach Tomas will be taking on a new challenge as our first-ever head girls soccer coach,” Colfax-Mingo Activities Director Erin Hume said. “This move is a natural fit for Coach Tomas, who has built an exceptional reputation as a leader and mentor. His unwavering dedication to our students and programs has made him one of the most respected coaches in the district.”

Tomas finished up his 15th season as track and field coach last spring. He helped send at least one Tigerhawk event to the state meet for 13 of those 15 seasons.

His best finisher was Kyra Lester, who took sixth in the discus in 2022. Two other individuals and three relay teams also posted top-10 finishes during that span.

“While transitions like these often mean losing a valuable coach, we’re fortunate to retain Coach Tomas within our district,” Hume said. “Soccer has always been a special sport to him, and this opportunity allows him to share that passion with our students. We have no doubt he will give his very best to this program, just as he has done for track.”

Tomas expects his first soccer roster to feature around 20 players. There will be several players who have travel and club soccer experience but also many who have little to no experience.

“I think we’ll be fairly competitive right away,” said Tomas, who turned down potential interest from Central Iowa United a few seasons ago.

Hume and Colfax-Mingo now have the task of finding the school’s next girls track and field coach who can build on the foundation Tomas has established.

“We’re committed to bringing in the best candidate to lead the program forward,” Hume said. “We’re also excited to see the impact Tomas makes on the soccer field and know he will continue to make our district proud.”