Athlete Spotlight: Alicia Kenfack

BISMARCK  – When Bismarck Legacy’s Alicia Kenfack steps on a wrestling mat she’s prepared to get her opponent’s best effort.
That goes with the territory of being a three-time state champion.
The junior is one of several talented wrestlers in the top-ranked Saber program. And while she’s enjoyed plenty of success, she knows there is no room for complacency.
“I like that what you put into the sport is what you get out of it,’’ Kenfack said. “I love the (wrestling) community that you also have around you. They treat you like family, but also hold you accountable.”
Legacy coach Rick Ripplinger saw the makings of a good wrestler when Alicia joined the program in seventh grade.
“She is super athletic and strong, but what really stood out the most was how fast she learns new things,’’ he recalls. “She’s one of the people I can just say something once and be able to execute a new move at a high level.”
Alicia is also not afraid to develop new skills and work them into her matches. “Like I said, she’s a quick learner she also experiments a lot of with new technique. She works really hard on anything new that she likes. She’s somewhat self-taught and very motivated.”
Alicia’s introduction to wrestling came in elementary school. “I wrestled two kid tournaments (in third grade), but they weren’t serious though because you could wrestle in anything; even tennis shoes,’’ she said.
It wasn’t until a few years later that she gave it a serious look upon the encouragement of her older twin brothers, Christian and Wilfried Tanefeu. The pair turned in impressive careers at Bismarck High, and took their wrestling skills to the University of Michigan.
“They suggested that I should try out the sport because of the amazing people they had met wrestling,’’ she said. “I’m so happy that I listened to them. Most my friends I’ve met were through wrestling.” 
She had a strong first year, placing third at the first sanctioned state tournament in the 100 pound division. She followed up with her first state title as an eighth grader at 105 pounds. It wasn’t until the summer of her eighth grader year that Alicia realized her potential.
“It was national duals and I was shocked of how good I was doing,’’ she said. “ I really didnt expect myself to win matches, especially since it was just my second year wrestling in national duals.”
Two more state titles came as a freshman at 112 pounds and last year at 118.pounds. She will compete in the 112 division this postseason.
“When I look back I can’t believe how much I’ve grown as a wrestler and person,’’ she said. “The areas I’ve developed the most is just having trust in what I practice in the wrestling room and trusting my technique.”
While some wrestlers take a methodical approach in a match, waiting for an opening, Alicia is ready from the get-go. 
“She usually sets the tone and that tone is of a high pace,’’ Ripplinger said. “Most of her opponents can't keep up to her. She flows from one move to another so well. She moves her hands and feet well which is very important in wrestling.”
One of her goals is to score in the opening period of a match to gain an early advantage and then let her skill, strength and conditioning take control.
Some wrestlers will do pre-match scouting of an opponent to zero in on their strengths and tendencies. Alicia prefers to enter the match only focusing on what she needs to accomplish.
“I actually hate when I know anything about my opponents because that gets in my head,’’ she admits. “When someone tells me what my opponent is good at then I just focus on not getting in that position. And then I don’t wrestle my best.”
Following the high school season she turns her attention wrestling in the local Matpac club and taking part in national competitions where she has earned some high finishes.
“Alicia is one of our most active wrestlers in the state in the off season,’’ Ripplinger said.  “She knows that if she wants to keep improving that spring and summer wrestling is what is going to help her with that.”
Alicia particularly enjoys competing in the nationals tournaments held in Fargo and being part of the ND dual team. 
“In the summer time I love (competing),” Alicia said. “There are national duals and fargo nationals, I love duals more because you are with your team and have everyone is in your corner.”
She will take a bit of break in later summer to rest and refresh before the high school season begins in November.
This season has been impressive for Legacy’s program which will enter the postseason as a strong contender for dual and individual state titles. “I am very proud of our girls and very excited for state duals because the team is amazing when it comes to our comradery,’’ Kenfack said.
Coach Ripplinger agrees.
“We have a great group this year and I want to think we are building a culture at Legacy that the girls can be proud of and want to uphold,’’ he said. “The girls do a great job at holding each other accountable. I have a lot of people ask me, 
‘how do you deal with all the drama?’, but I can tell you, we do not have drama on this team. They all like and respect each other.  They cheer for each other.”
Although she has one more high school season ahead, there is an eye to the future. She would like to compete at the college level, if the opportunity knocks.
For now, there is another state title run to pursue and continue to grow her talents on the mat. And through it all she has remained grounded.
“Alicia is a very modest athlete,’’ Ripplinger said. “She does not showboat or come across as cocky or arrogant at all. She is very humble.”
 

Photo courtesy of Justine Thompson