BALTIMORE, Md. (March 15, 2019)-Jamaica has been the hub for track and field stars for decades with recent names like Usain Bolt, Elaine Thompson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and more. With the national recognition of those athletes they have set the bar for the next generation of sprinters coming from the Caribbean.
 
There's no denying that the sport has been instilled in the youth of Jamaica, but it takes strength and determination to have that sport change a life or create an opportunity.
 
Morgan State senior sprinter Annastacia Barham, wasn't the fastest or the strongest while in high school at St. Elizabeth Tech in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, but her hard work and determination granted her an opportunity she thought she'll never have.
 
After spending one year at a Tech University in Jamaica and through the Morgan State-Jamaica pipeline, she scored an opportunity to travel outside of her homeland of Jamaica to further her education and run track.
 
Now in her last year in a Lady Bears uniform she hopes to leave her mark.
 
To close out the indoor track and field season, Barham helped the women's team place fifth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Track & Field Championships. On day two of the championships, Barham had the second fastest time in the preliminary round of the 400 meter dash, crossing the line in a time of 56.52 second. She would place second in the finals of the 400 meter dash, running a time of 56.51 seconds to earn second-team All-MEAC honors in the 400m.

She would then join fellow teammates Anaya Monroe, Valencia McDowell and Infinnatie Rowe to guide Morgan State to a second-place finish in the 4X400 meter relay with a time of 3:46.73 to also garner All-MEAC second team honors in the event.
 
Barham is an accounting major with hopes of having a career in accounting. She has maintained a 3.0 or higher and earned a MEAC academic honor for the indoor season.
 
Credit to Morgan State Athletic Director Ed Scott for finding ways to help the performance of student-athletes in the classroom with the study hall sessions provided for athletes.
 
"It's easier to maintain my GPA with the support and resources I have. I can get my school work done in the same facilities I train in with the assistance of people I'm familiar with, said Barham.
 
The Lady Bears outdoor season will began Mar 15-16 when they visit the University of Charlotte in the 49er Classic. Barham says she's excited about the season but she's learning to keep an open mind.

"I'm looking forward to this outdoor season, but I've learned that you have to go into meets open minded, anything could happen," said Barham. "You can go into a meet or event and think you're going to win then at the end of the day you don't."