Kapaun Mount Carmel’s Taylor Barringer has a unique way to get herself mentally and physically prepared for the rigors of the high school wrestling season.

“I just finished my cross country ceason, and I believe that cross country has helped me with my mental strength and my physical endurance for the upcoming wrestling season,” Barringer said. “I am excited to start competing again, and to see how I have improved since last season.”

Barringer went 29-7 as a freshman last season, won her weight class at the GWAL Tournament, took second at regionals and fifth at state.

With all of that success, there is one area where Barringer is focused on improving during her sophomore campaign.

“I would like to improve on my shots and takedowns,” Barringer said. “In the offseason, I attended several takedown clinics to improve my skills.”

Barringer was one of two Crusaders ranked in the preseason, but she thinks Kapaun girls wrestling can be a team to reckon with in Class 6-5A.

“My goal for this season is to improve my skills and place at state,” Barringer said. “I hope most of my team will qualify for state this year, and that we will have a strong finish as a team.”