By Angela Brunk
Callie Anne Fairbank enters her senior season at Independence High School with experience, confidence, and clear goals in mind. Competing in the 155-pound weight class, Fairbank has established herself as one of the program’s leaders and is eager to finish her high school wrestling career on a strong note.
One of the things she is most excited about this season is having a larger team, which she believes gives Independence a much better chance to place well at tournaments and compete for team success.
Fairbank’s offseason looked different than in years past. While she was unable to attend wrestling camps due to working a full-time job, she remained committed to improving by lifting weights and maintaining her weight. Balancing work and training taught her discipline and responsibility, qualities that continue to translate onto the mat.
This season, Fairbank is focused on taking more shots and being more aggressive on her feet. She recognizes that growth sometimes comes from stepping outside of her comfort zone, and she worked during the offseason to get out of her own head and trust her abilities.
Last season, Fairbank finished with an impressive 32–12 record and recorded 26 pins. Her accolades include first-place finishes at SEK and De Soto tournaments, a fifth-place finish at regionals, and a fourth-place finish at the state tournament.
Her goals for the year are ambitious but achievable. As a team, Fairbank wants Independence to win SEK. Individually, she is striving to reach 100 career wins and make it to the state finals.
Beyond wrestling, Fairbank plans to attend college and pursue a degree in accounting. When she’s not on the mat, she enjoys reading, watching sports, and studying, reflecting the same dedication in the classroom that she brings to competition.
