Thursday, October 1, 2026
When Baldwin senior Breanne Barnett took the line for the 300-meter dash at the New York indoor track and field championships on March 7, her focus remained resolute under raised expectations. From her earliest days competing, the appeal of running had always been the same, and it wasn’t about to change as she looked to defend her state title.
“Honestly, I like winning,” Barnett said. “I don't know if that’s cliched, but whenever I'm on the track, my main goal is to win. That’s what pushes me across that finish line. That's what makes me run around this track.”
A heavy favorite entering the event, Barnett breezed through the preliminaries with a top time of 39.41 seconds to qualify for the finals. It was merely a warmup for the star sprinter, who was not only focused on winning, but setting the state record.
Despite a stirring effort, Barnett came up short of her lofty goal, instead being forced to settle for mere dominance. In one of the most convincing victories at the championship meet, Barnett finished the 300 in 38.09 seconds, 1.42 seconds ahead of the runner-up.
The next seven runners behind Barnett all finished within a half-second of one another, but Baldwin’s best left them all far behind. Being the heavy favorite did not daunt her — if anything, it seemed to embolden her.
“I've always had that type of mindset,” Barnett said. “I want something, I'm gonna go after it, and even though I wasn't to get the state record, I was just happy to be able to win again.”
Sandra Cole, Baldwin girls’ track and field coach, has spent the last three years coaching Barnett and marvels at her progression. A bright light in the Bruins’ program, she has elevated the school’s standing through her diligence and fiercely competitive nature.
“She's focused on what she's doing,” Cole said. “She's a very hard worker. She's very competitive, and she has had success at the state championships in the past, even before I got here and became her coach.”
The day before Barnett defended her state title in the 300, she competed in the 55-meter dash and finished fourth with a time of 7.02. Cole credited her with a brave effort in an event she has never favored.
Just ahead of Barnett in the 55-meter dash, Baldwin junior Savannah Stephenson finished third in the finals with a time of 7.02 seconds. Cole said the improving sprinter exceeded expectations in the event to land on the podium, putting Baldwin ahead of schedule as it prepares for another budding star.
Barnett is committed to compete for the University of Virginia in college, and before her final outdoor season begins at Baldwin, the senior plans to represent Haiti in the 400-meter dash at the CARIFTA Games in April. It will be her fifth straight appearance at the Caribbean junior championship meet.
