Sports
All American Honor for West Orange High School Wrestler
Hailing from Ethiopia, student wins national title
With each passing day in his new country, West Orange High junior Deselgane Fried grows as a resident, a student and an athlete.
Deselgane, who came to the United States from Ethopia in January of 2008, was adopted along with sisters Rebka and Hana by Justin and Randi Fried. The three came from Ethiopia where they were left orphaned after the death of their parents.
Rebka and Hana arrived in the U.S. in March of 2006, but it took two more years before Deselagane joined them with their new family in West Orange.
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Athletics has become a special place for Deselagne, who recently won a wrestling championship in May for the 135-pound weight class at the National High School Coaches Association Open in Harrisburg, Pa.
He won four bouts to win the title, beating Jake Smith of West Virginia 4-1 in the final bout. He thus earned the title of All American.
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Deselgane's English has come a long way in a short period. He came to the U.S. just understanding Amharic, but he speaks his new language without a hitch.
"Last year I was fourth in the toughest bracket in this tournament," said Deselgane.
"I told my mom that I would win it next year. I gave her my trophy for Mother's Day."
Deselgane figured he wrestled 97 bouts last summer, winning 87. He and his father, Justin, are expecting him to wrestle just about as many this year.
Last year's busy summer certainly paid off. He was one of three Mountaineers to win at last 30 bouts. He took second in the Essex County and District 13 Tournaments to West Essex state champ Anthony Perrotti. Fried fourth in Region IV, falling one place short in qualifying for the state tournament in Atlantic City.
Justin said that Deselagane will stay close to home for off-season tournaments the next month before the family travels to the bigger summer tournaments. Last summer, he placed fourth at 133 pounds at the U.S. National High School Open Wrestling Championships in Ocean City, Md.
"I'm ready for next year; I'm going to the states," said Deselgne.
