After graduating from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff University, V.I. National Track and Field Team member Ninfa Barnard is moving into her new careers as a biology teacher and a professional middle distance runner — all this in less than a year after competing as a college student/athlete. She is teaching at her alma mater.
This past weekend, Barnard came very close to breaking the V.I. National Record she set in the 800m by finishing fifth in a race at the Florida Relays in Gainesville, Florida. Her time was 2:08.81, just short of her personal best and the V.I. National Record of 2:08.43 that was run in Atlanta, Georgia, in May of 2013. Thandi Stewart of the USA took first place in the race in 2:07.26; Maya Hicks of the USA was second in 2:07.87; Erica Winston of the USA was third in 2:07.91 and Rachel Harley was fourth in 2:08.61.
Barnard has shown steady improvement in middle distances races since her high school career at the St. Croix Educational Complex High School by capturing V.I. National Records in the 800m, 1500m, mile and 3000m distances. She has represented the Virgin Islands as a V.I. National Track and Field Team Member at CARIFTA Junior Championships, CAC Championships and the World University Games Championships. Her times have dropped from 2:18 to 2:08 in just three years.
For information, logon to: http://virginislandstrackandfield.org, call 643-2557 or e-mail: isv@mf.iaaf.org
