Throughout their high school years, student-athletes work hard to get stronger and better at their sport. Some even go above and beyond, allowing their efforts to become worth it in the end. For example, Rohama Gebremichael, who is a part of the women’s wrestling team at Wakefield High School, has won conference wrestler of the year for the second year in a row. Her teammates see the effort she puts into being a marvelous captain for the team, as well as an athlete. 

Gebremichael has become a good leader to her fellow teammates throughout her years on the wrestling team. Winning conference wrestler of the year again this year has shown how invested she is in this sport. As this is her senior year, she has worked very hard to end her high school wrestling career with a bang. She is very saddened that she will soon have to say goodbye to friends she has known since her freshman year.

“This is the second time in a row I’ve [won conference wrestler of the year] and I’m just as excited as last year,” Gebremichael said. “It feels great to know my hard work is paying off.”

Freshman Allison Francis has enjoyed her experience in joining the women’s wrestling team. She has seen that being a part of this team has made her stronger and altogether a better person. Francis feels that Gebremichael is very deserving of the conference wrestler of the year title due to her dedication to the sport. 

“She’s taught me so much about wrestling and I don’t think I would’ve gotten through the season without her guidance,” Francis said. “She was not just a captain for me; she was like an older sister.”

Ashley Smith, another freshman, has also enjoyed being a part of the wrestling team this season. She feels that Gebremichael is a natural-born leader of the team. She helped Smith feel welcome and frequently helped her with practices during the season. 

“No one is more deserving than Rohama,” said Smith. “She is always working her hardest in practice and she has absolutely dominated on the mat this season.”

Head coach Russel Williams agrees with the fact that Gebremichael was the most deserving wrestler of this award. He has seen how hard she has worked over the years to get to this point. He enjoys seeing how the girls on the team bond together during the season and continuing on even after the season has ended.

“Honestly, I did not have to say a whole lot [to other coaches]. Rohama’s record says a lot about her performance,” said Williams. “I spoke more about things that other coaches may not see as easily, [such as] her love of the sport, how much she pushes herself and others on the team and how friendly and respectful she is to the girls on other teams.”

Overall, Gebremichael has worked super hard to travel up to this point. She has reached many milestones throughout her high school career in wrestling. Her teammates and coaches are glad that she has been a part of this team over the last four years. Gebremichael is saddened that her high school wrestling career is coming to an end, but believes it was all worth it. 

“One piece of advice I would give to future high school wrestlers is that there will always be people who try to downplay your success, but their opinions don’t matter,” Gebremichael said. “At the end of the day, wrestling is a battle between you and yourself.”