In high school wrestling, the Tanefeu twins have come on strong for Bismarck High. Their success is surprising when you consider one twin started wrestling three years ago and the other just this season.
In Christian Tanefeu and Wilfried Tanefeu, Bismarck High may have found the foundation of their team for the next two seasons.
Christian is 8-0 in team duals and ranked No. 1 in the state for 106 pounds.
“When I started,” Christian said, “I was new to folkstyle [wrestling]. I didn’t know much. I’ve gotten better. I’ve been working every day.”
Wilfried is 7-1 in team duals and ranked No. 2 in the state for 113 pounds.
“At the beginning of the season,” Wilfried said. “I started working on the bottom, but I think it’s getting a little better. Top is where I have to get some extra points there.”
The twins are sophomores, but Wilfried started wrestling two years before Christian.
“It was in middle school,” Wilfried said. “[Andrew Prokop] asked me if I wanted to try wrestling and I said, ‘Why not?’ So I tried it.”
Wilfried encouraged his brother to join the team this year.
“I just talked to him and said, ‘Come on, wrestle. It’ll be fun. Just try it out and everything.”
Christian admits that Wilfried is better right now.
“If my friend asks me, I would probably say me,” Christian said, “but if I’m being honest I would probably say my brother because he’s really good, but I’m catching up to him.”
When the twins spar, the intensity goes through the roof.
“It’s competitive,” Christian said. “We look at each other say, ‘You ready for this?’ then we basically push each other.”
Each brother pushing the other to go to the next level.
The Tanefeu twins will be on the mat tomorrow when the No. 1 team in the state host Century at 7 p.m.
“Whoever gets taken down,” Christian said, “at the end of practice they have to do 30 push ups or 30 situps or something like that.
