Student Helps Bring Wrestling to Marian By J1 Reporter Claire Bauman Every day Audrey Arthur ‘23 goes to wrestling practice after school. Heavy weight lifting, jumping rope, throwing medicine balls and running sprints are just a few of the physically challenging tasks she endures. She enjoys the company of her teammates and grows closer to them each day. Her bond with head coach Ms. Lauren Barefoot is particularly strong. Arthur isn’t just any member of the team, she is one of the main reasons the team came to be. Before 2021, Marian had no wrestling team. With the NSAA officially making girls wrestling a sanctioned sport for the 2021-22 season, an idea came to life. Arthur is passionate about women’s wrestling. “It is a sign of how far we have come in women’s sports, the fact it took so long for wrestling to start can inspire future generations to see the accomplishments made.” Arthur said. With the help of a few friends, she met with Coach Barefoot and her idea blossomed. Arthur talked to friends and messaged classmates. She was a big recruiter when it came to finding members for the team. Her bond with Coach Barefoot helped in this process as well. They have known each other since Arthur’s freshman year. “My freshman year I was pretty weak.
Lauren Barefoot has pushed me to be the best version of myself both physically and mentally,” she said. Unlike other members on the wrestling team, Arthur’s approach when it comes
Having T1D, Arthur has to watch carefully what she consumes. She has to watch the amount of sugar and carbohydrates in each item she eats. Not only does Type 1 affect her eating habits,
“It is a sign of how far we have come in women’s sports, the fact it took so long for wrestling to start can inspire future generations to see the accomplishments made.” Audrey Arthur to wrestling differs. She lives with Type 1 Diabetes, an autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin.
it also affects how she can compete. She has to be sure to keep her blood sugar at a normal level. Having T1D, Arthur participates in many 46
Juvenile Diabetic Research Foundation (JDRF) events such as JDRF walks. JDRF is a non-profit organization that funds T1D research and advocates for better medical treatment for T1 patients. Arthur’s family life is also important to her. She says her mom is her biggest supporter. She doesn’t have much free time, but in the little time she does have, she enjoys going outside. Arthur has four siblings. Although none of them live at home, she is particularly close with two, Andrea and Augusto. She frequently goes hiking with them. They also enjoy going to new places, exploring downtown, and trying new restaurants. Arthur’s family life changed during the pandemic. She now looks back at social events and has learned to appreciate people gathering in large groups. The way she views social situations also changed as she is cautious in big settings. When asked if she finds herself to be inspiring she said, “Yes, in some aspects. I do believe my impact on the wrestling team can be seen as inspirational.” Her goal for the future is to grow strong and win consistently. She hopes to be wrestling in state in Feburary.
