St. Paul’s rising sophomore Eric Friedman won a Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association championship and a Maryland State Independent Schools title during his freshman year at 103 pounds.  

This summer, the Pikesville resident has broadened his horizons, in that he can now call himself an All-American after placing fifth at 112 in the freestyle division at the USA Wrestling Cadet National Championships in Fargo, N.D.

“I won some tough matches and every match I had was close,” said Friedman, who finished seventh last year in the 98-pound bracket. “I am proud of what I did. These are the top wrestlers in the country.”

Friedman went a combined 12-4 in the freestyle and Greco-Roman divisions. He beat Stephen Myers of Ohio in the final match by winning two of three periods.

Friedman, who started competing in the Owings Mills Junior League program seven years ago, said the losses he suffered to some of the nation’s elite wrestlers will only make him better.

“Every time you lose you can shake your opponent’s hand and thank him for making you better,” he said. “It (the losses) motivates me to work harder. I was three matches away from winning a national title and two from making the final.”
 


 

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