by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
Amanda Barnes is one of the greatest female throwers in UNM history. The senior is also so much more - a student, a singer and, most importantly, a mother.
Barnes, a native of Carlsbad, is a two-time defending Mountain West Conference Champion in the shot put.
She got off to a hot start again this year, with the best throws on the team in both shot put and discus. This year she has thrown 52-01 1/4 in shot put. That distance ranks No. 1 in the UNM record books and is the best in the MWC this season.
That record should stand for a while - it is nearly two feet farther than her old school record of 50-11.
She also briefly held the school record in discus with a throw of 151-08 and has a shot at breaking it this year.
Barnes took a modest approach to all these accolades.
"I'm very satisfied," she said. "I set goals, but I never saw myself getting this far. I'm just grateful and thankful for all that I've accomplished."
She said in her final year she hopes to claim a third-straight conference championship, in her final year.
"I guess only time will tell," she said. "I plan to try and come out with a victory, but it's just a tough competition. It's pretty important as a senior to go out on a good note."
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Head track and field coach Matt Henry said he is pleased to have Barnes be a part of the team and continue the success of local New Mexicans at the college level.
"She was just down the road," he said. "We were thrilled when we got her to continue that. There aren't too many bad things I can say about Amanda, and I'm really going to miss her."
Besides being one of UNM's outstanding athletes, Barnes also stays focused in the classroom. She has garnered Academic All-MWC honors in each of the past three years.
"She's a very, very good student," Henry said. "She understands that an education is going to help her tremendously."
One external influence in particular has helped keep her focused.
"School is one of my top priorities so I can help myself and provide a good life for my daughter," Barnes said.
She is the mother of a 6-year-old girl, Sable.
"I'm just really busy," Barnes said. "It's all about time management."
She said she works hard to balance her family life as well as her school and throwing responsibilities.
"She's been a real good mom," Henry said. "I'm really proud of Amanda Barnes."
Adding to her busy schedule is Barnes' passion for singing. She has had the honor of singing the national anthem at UNM home meets for track and field and cross-country.
"It adds to everything going on," Henry said. "It gets people fired up."
There may even be some competitive motivation behind the pregame belting.
"It's cool, because I'm really happy to sing," Barnes said. "Every time I get up to sing, it gets my adrenaline going."
As for the rest of her throwing career at UNM, the highest of her track goals may not be far off.
"She can be up and down during the year, but she knows when to throw - when to show up - and that's how it ought to be," Henry said. "I hope she can take another step to make a showing on that national stage, and I think she can get there this year."
