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By BRIAN HALL
Staff writer
After a highly successful track and field career closed its final chapter this spring, there seemed to be just one logical step for Chambersburg's Anyssa Barbour to take -- run for an NCAA Division I program.
Barbour got her choice.
The CASHS graduate will attend the University of Pittsburgh this fall and major in biological sciences. The fleet-footed Barbour plans to become a veterinarian when her running days conclude.
Barbour will receive a half-scholarship from Pitt and plans call for her to run in the 200, 400, 400 relay and 1600 relay.
When Pitt, came charging hard at the sprinter, the school seemed like a logical selection.
"I was actually on a recruiting website and I saw the University of Pittsburgh and I honestly just thought I'd send them a questionnaire because I was doing that with a lot of schools," Barbour said. "I sent it during seventh period and that afternoon around 4 p.m. there was a message on my answering machine and two e-mails from the coach. That was a Friday and they wanted me to visit that Monday or Tuesday. It was really rushed but I liked how eager they were and how they wanted me to be there. No other school had that attitude. They really were interested in me and made me feel like they really wanted me to be part of the team.
"I did visit there and I liked everything about the school both academically and athletically."
Panthers' coach Alonzo Webb made a strong first
Webb's specialties are sprints, hurdles and jumps.
While CASHS girls coach Chris Monheim hates to see Barbour go after four years of excellence, he thinks she set herself up for more success.
"Anyssa is definitely the finest sprinter we've had in either the boys or girls program," Monheim said. "I'll miss all she could do for us. It's exciting she's going to a Big East school not far away -- I'll have the opportunity to see her in meets in the future. I grew up two miles from the University of Pittsburgh so it's nice to see one of our kids go there.
"She has a huge upside. She'll move up in distance. They'll make her a quarter-miler. If there's any event she has room to improve, it's that one. Anyssa's in a good situation academically. It's a good fit for academics and athletics."
A further selling point to Barbour was the proximity to Franklin County.
"At first it didn't really matter -- I was set on getting out of Pennsylvania and exploring," Barbour said. "But I thought about it and I looked at Georgia Southern and the University of Central Florida, but I really wouldn't get to be home much because of how long the track season itself is. That's when I did think about it more and thought if I do need to go home for a weekend, it wouldn't be as expensive."
Barbour will take a suitcase full of honors along with her to Pitt. She wrapped up her career with four school records and a stadium record.
In the postseason is where Barbour really shined.
In 2006 as a freshman, Barbour finished seventh in states in the 100 (12.31).
As a sophomore, Barbour placed second in the 100 (12.14) and fourth in the 200 (25.21) at the PIAA meet.
In her junior year, Barbour finished third in the 100 (12.13) and fourth in the 200 (25.08).
This season, she placed second at districts in the 200 and fourth in the 400.
Overall, she claimed District 3 100 titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and a 200 title in 2008. Over her career, Barbour grabbed seven district medals.
"I was very surprised at my success," Barbour said. "I was so afraid that I was getting all this attention at Faust and I wasn't going to be any good in high school and my times wouldn't be good enough to be a top athlete there. I was surprised my freshman year making it to states that year and placing and doing it in the years after that. It was a great experience."
CASHS sprint coach Alex Ramos sees plenty of success in the future for Barbour. Ramos also figures a college schedule set-up will suit the sprinter just fine.
"I think she'll do excellent," Ramos said. "She'll benefit from being a star, but not being 'the star.' There will be enough girls surrounding her, pushing her all the time that she'll thrive in that environment.
"College is very different from high school. Here, we had two or three meets a week. In college, you have one meet a week or you may even skip a meet to prepare two weeks for a big meet. She'll be able to prepare herself at a much steadier rate. Anyssa has a lot of self drive. It doesn't take much to get her motivated to get on the track and run. That's a big component to her being successful at the next level."
Chambersburg's loss is definitely the Panthers' gain.
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Brian Hall can be reached at 262-4788 or bkhall@publicopinionnews.com
Barbour file
Name: Anyssa Barbour
Parents: Ralph and Karen Barbour
School: Chambersburg Area Senior High School
College choice: University of Pittsburgh
Sport: Track and field
School records: 100 (12.09); 200 (24.84); 400 relay (49.02); 800 relay (1:46.7)
Stadium record: 100 (12.1)
