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FARGO — Former Bismarck High School wrestlers Christian and Wilfried Tanefeu had the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with some of their University of Michigan teammates at Kelly Ripa's house.
The Tanefeus are both redshirt freshmen in their second season for the Wolverines. Also on the team is Joaquin Consuelos, Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos's son.
The Tanefeus, Consuelos and Corvallis, Ore. native Chance Lamer were roommates during their first season in Ann Arbor and have maintained a friendship since, Bismarck co-head coach Jeff Schumacher told The Forum.
It's that friendship that brought the Tanefeus to the Ripa household for Thanksgiving. Ripa shared the story of her family's Thanksgiving Monday morning, Nov. 28 on her show "Live with Kelly and Ryan".
Ripa reported that the four roommates all visited on Thanksgiving, prompting her to quadruple her catered dinner order. "I know when I'm outmatched," Ripa joked on the show.
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Unfortunately, however, Ripa shared that her guests had matches coming up and needed to watch their weights. "None of us ate a protein," she said of herself and her other, non-wrestler guests. "You eat the carbs, they're getting the protein."
Ripa said she took the easy route for feeding everyone. The family and wrestlers shared a sushi dinner, which she shared pictures of on the show. "I literally made the weekend so easy for myself," she recalled. "I was like, 'Where do you guys want to order in from tonight?'"
The Tanefeu brothers took a winding path to Division I athletics.
The twins, alongside their parents and siblings, moved to Bismarck from Cameroon in November 2014. In eighth grade, Wilfried tried out for wrestling. A year later, Christian followed.
Picking up wrestling proved to be a wise decision for the Tanefeus. Both became three-time North Dakota state champions. In 2019, Christian picked up the 106-pound cadet Greco freestyle title at the Fargo Nationals, while Wilfried won the 113-pound cadet freestyle title at the event.
Both Tanefeus racked up impressive records during their years at Bismarck High School. Wilfried accrued a career record of 144-21. Christian finished his high school career with a 115-13 mark.
Ultimately, the two decided to continue their careers at the University of Michigan. Christian posted a 10-12 record during his first season, with Wilfriend going 5-7.
Thus far, the Wolverines have recorded a 3-0 team record this season and currently rank fifth in the NWCA Coaches' Poll.
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Listen to Ripa share her full Thanksgiving story below, beginning at 1:18.
