JACKSONVILLE, Md. (May 24, 2019)-The 2019 NCAA Track & Field East Preliminary Round got underway on Thursday at Hodges Stadium on the campus of the University of North Florida.

Morgan State senior Annastacia Barham finished 33rd during the first round of the 400 meter dash, crossing the line in a time of 54.21 seconds.

Barham, who was the Lady Bears' lone athlete to qualify for an individual event in the preliminary round, was one of the top 48 runners in the East Region in the 400 meter dash. The Manchester, Jamaica native entered the event with the 16th ranked fastest time at 53.05 seconds, which she ran during the MEAC Championships in Greensboro, N.C. (May 2-4).

While Barham's run at an individual title has come to an end, she will join fellow 4x400 relay teammates, Infinnatie Rowe, Valencia McDowell and Dinedye Denis, as the Lady Bears will compete in quarterfinal action on Saturday, May 25 beginning at 9:25 p.m. 

The Lady Bears' quartet qualified as one of the top 24 relay teams to reach the preliminary round when they ran their fastest time of the season of 3:37.80 at the MEAC Championships.

The top 12 relay times will advance to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships held June 5-8 at Mike A. Myers Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas in Austin, Texas.

NCAA track and field fans can watch live and on-demand coverage of the NCAA Division I East and/or West Preliminary Championships on FloTrack with a Pro subscription. Coverage of the preliminary competitions will be available May 23-25. To access the East Preliminary coverage click here. To access the West Preliminary coverage click here.