March 3, 2016 By Sahr Morris Jnr.
Sierra Leone and Ohio State-based sprinter, Maggie Barrie, has set a new Personal Best (PB) and Sierra Leone national 200 metres record with a time of 23:83 seconds at the just concluded Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships.
Barrie, who breaks her previous 23.99 seconds record in the championships, also sets a new time of 55.15 seconds to slash the national record in the 400 metres indoor race, which was once held by former Sierra Leonean international Melrose Mansaray at 55.82 seconds.
The daughter of former Sierra Leone international, Andrew Barrie, is currently a standout student and athlete at the world renowned Ohio State University and has been steadily improving on her times this year since transferring from Xavier University.
Reacting to Barrie’s latest success, Public Relations Officer of Sierra Leone Athletics Association (SLAA), Baraka Sparkay, said they are following the progress of the sprinter.
“We are in constant touch with Barrie and following her progress, we only hope she can secure the Olympic qualifying time in any other big championship which is sanctioned by the world federation, IAAF,” Sparkay said.