Shooting for Three: Tarasa Barnett

January 31, 2013

Laura Watler

"I feel stronger mentally. I feel like I am looking at workouts differently, being more mentally positive and seeing things for what they are."

After dominating the Latin America Region two years in a row, Tarasa Barnett is coming back strong.

She’s in her second year working with CJ Martin from CrossFit Invictus and sticking to an organized plan.

Barnett says last year’s Games took her out of her comfort zone. She says she’s more mentally prepared and more capable headed into the 2013 season.

“I enjoy competition, I enjoy pushing myself as an athlete, I like tough workouts,” she says. “I do it because I feel like I have the talent and I enjoy doing it.”

Working with Martin consists of strength training, conditioning and just plain CrossFit. With strength as a main focus, she works on power and Olympic lifts daily. Gymnastics skills and conditioning come next.

So far, it seems to have worked. She has a new personal record for her squat clean (200 lb.), clean and jerk (185 lb.) and her goal is to get 150 lb. on her snatch.

“I feel stronger mentally,” Barnett says. “I feel like I am looking at workouts differently, being more mentally positive and seeing things for what they are.”

Martin is pleased with her progress.

“Tarasa is doing really well. For a veteran athlete to continue to make improvements the way she has is great to see,” he says. “Her technique has improved, making her more efficient and more capable of repeating heavy efforts repeatedly.”

His expectation for Barnett is simple: perform to the best of her ability, at a full out 100 percent effort.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Tarasa,” he says. “It takes a special person to put in the time needed to both train for the Games and run a successful affiliate, but Tarasa has never wavered in her dedication and motivation.”

For two years, Barnett has set a precedent of being the strongest and fittest female athlete in the region. She’s keeping her focus beyond the Open and on Regionals.