Barringer Endures Senior Year, Off to Run with the Buffalos

Jenny Barringer would have loved to talk about winning her sixth state championship last fall, except it wasn't easy.

She accomplished all of it while barely opening her mouth. Simply, her jaw was wired shut.

Barringer has been making big marks in Seminole County for three years, but never pulled off three titles in one school year.

It almost didn't happen. She came down with a disease to her gums during her junior year at Oviedo High School and was told immediate surgery was needed that would likely put her on the bench for the start of cross country. When told of the diagnosis and the need for surgery, she thought of taking a chance to wait until the end of her high school season, but with a barrage of recruiters knowing that Barringer could mean the difference between a decent four years or a great four years, Barringer didn't want to give in. Eventually she conceded to the doctors and the wires came immediately afterwards.

For Barringer, not being able to talk ...