The 2018 NEC Indoor Most Outstanding Rookie performer wasted little time doing damage outdoors. Barnes' collegiate outdoor debut resulted in the conference's fastest 100m time. Contesting the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational in Myrtle Beach, Barnes sprinted to a bronze medal by completing the final in 11.97. Earlier, she won her preliminary heat by crossing the line in 11.89. That time places her seventh overall on the early-season ECAC regional leader board. While in Myrtle Beach, Barnes helped Mount's 400m relay team to an ECAC Championships-qualifying finish in 47.79.