Recent Team WAR graduate Anaya Monroe will run for Morgan State University in the fall.

Her announcement means that Nansemond River High School’s track and field team will have sent its fourth senior to college this year.

Her recruiting process went well as she narrowed her choices down to two schools. She had interest from MSU, Howard University and Southern University. That rounded out her top three schools to choose from.

She had a hard time deciding between MSU and HU, but ultimately felt like MSU was going to be a better fit.

“I was sort of torn between the two,” she said. “After taking a visit and learning more about MSU, I knew that it was the place or me to be.”

After doing research on the team and school, Monroe saw that it will be beneficial for her athletically and academically to attend MSU. The girls and the coaches on the team welcomed her, and the Nansemond River graduate knew she was going to be happy there.

MSU is in Baltimore, which Monroe said is not too close and not too far away. Her family allowed her to make her own decision, though they helped her recognize the things she should consider when picking a school.

Monroe said her senior season went well. She was pleased with her progression on the track, along with how she evolved as an individual. Nansemond River won both the indoor and outdoor 5A state championships this year and also performed well at the New Balance Indoor and Outdoor National meets.

Monroe’s performances helped her become a four-time All-American and a two-time state champion all in her senior year alone. Last year Monroe wasn’t even on the traveling team, so to come back in her senior year and be an All-American is impressive and shows that her hard work paid off.

“I was pleased with everything because of the guidance I received from my coaches,” she said. “There is no other place that I would have wanted to spend my senior year.”

Because of a successful track and field program, Nansemond River has seen many of its athletes get a chance to further their education. Monroe is thankful to be a part of such a dominant team.

“It’s an honor. We all work hard, and to see it payoff is relieving,” she said. “Working with coach B. and being on this team has helped me as an individual and as an athlete. I’ve built relationships with people whom I look at as family now.”

At MSU, Monroe plans to major in accounting. She expects to run the 200 and 400, primarily.