Sept. 3, 2005

She runs like the wind and garnered the accolades to prove it during her first year at Missouri Baptist University.

"I was really, really small when I first started running, probably in primary school," recalled 20-year-old Nickesha Anderson, now entering her sophomore year at MBU. "But it wasn't until I was 13 or 14 when I realized I had this talent."

During her adolescent years, Anderson created quite a name for herself in her hometown of Hanover, Jamaica, repeatedly taking home top honors and a truckload of trophies in short-distant track events at pristine world competitions like the Pan American games and the Junior World Championships.

Her success hasn't ceased. Despite transitioning from high school to college competitions and living thousands of miles away from her home, Anderson continues to take home top honors while shattering records with her fast feet and untiring dedication.

Last year alone, Anderson took first place in five events at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' national championships--collecting more first place national awards in one year than any other student in NAIA history.

Despite living a world away, MBU Track and Field Coach Vincent Bingham quickly jumped at the chance to bring her to MBU.

"She brings recognition for the school at a national level," Bingham said. "I've never met anyone in my 25 years of experience that has such a high level of perseverance, training and just the ability to do the right thing."

Much of Anderson's success is due to her family, she believes.

"My mother and father and grandparents all ran," she said, who ran in her first national competition at the age of six. "Its genetics."

Putting fears aside, Anderson said goodbye to her homeland, family and friends and hello to a new world at MBU, a decision she believes has greatly heightened her level of discipline.

"It's been a good change of environment," she said. "I heard it was a really good school, and it has allowed me to be focused. Being in an environment where I didn't know a lot of people has allowed me to be disciplined."

When asked if Anderson was able to enjoy a relaxing summer after the successes of her freshmen year, her reply was not surprising, considering the level of dedication those around her say she brings to MBU.

"Are you kidding me?" she said incredulously, shortly after returning for the 2005-2006 school year. "My feet are blistering right now. I've been training so hard this summer."

Missouri Baptist University is a premier Christian university in Saint Louis, offering graduate and undergraduate studies in over thirty specialized fields and nine degrees. MBU's education and fine arts programs are nationally known in addition to business, religion, administration of justice, and more. MBU is currently one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Missouri with an enrollment of over 4,000 students at four locations in the greater Saint Louis area -- West County, Lincoln County, Jefferson County, and Franklin County.

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