Taylor Crane

Class:
Redshirt Freshman
Hometown:
Columbia, Mo.
High School:
Rock Bridge

OUTLOOK: The only true freshman to see time in Missouri's starting lineup last year, sophomore Taylor Crane will likely challenge for the start at 133 pounds.

"Taylor filled in for an injured Todd Schavrien last season," Missouri Head Coach Brian Smith said. "He did well last year and has progressed even further in the off-season."

2008-09: Wrestling at 133 pounds, Crane was the sole member of the freshman class to see time in Missouri's starting lineup. Finishing the season with a 24-12 record that included four top-six tournament finishes, including a first place showing at the Missouri Open, Crane managed seven of his victories by either fall or technical fall. Crane's fastest pin on the year came in 2:13, while his quickest win by technical fall came on Jan. 18, in 5:32, also his first career dual victory. The Tiger lightweight first appeared in Missouri's 10-man lineup Jan. 10, at the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Duals held in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Crane battled with 12th-ranked Jake Strayer of Penn State but suffered his eighth loss on the year. Throughout the course of the campaign, Crane made a total of six starts in the Tiger lineup. Crane finished third at the Lindenwood and Central Missouri Roger Denker Open Tournaments and sixth at the Central Missouri Open.

High School: A three-time Missouri top-six state finisher at 135 pounds (2006, 2007, 2008), Crane was coached by Brook Harlan at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Mo. Crane tallied a 157-17 record in four years with the Bruins and earned Freestyle State titles his freshman (2005) and sophomore (2006) seasons. Additionally, Crane was a member of the 2005 Championship Cadet Freestyle National Dual Team and 2006 Championship Junior Grecco National Dual Team. Recognized for his ability to put his opponent on his back, Crane pinned 87 wrestlers throughout his four year career. Entering his senior season, Crane was ranked 14th in the nation by W.I.N. Magazine.

Personal: The son of Rex and Lisa Crane, Taylor was born June 18, 1989, in Columbia, Mo. Taylor has two siblings, Katherine (17) and Sam (13).