Mallard Creek High School's All-American short hurdler Akira Rhodes has announced her college commitment to the University of Tennessee!
Rhodes is coming off a monster junior season where she won the NCHSAA Indoor 55m Hurdle and defended her outdoor NCHSAA 4A 100m Hurdle title. Rhodes continued her season to take 6th at New Balance Outdoor Nationals running a NC#11 All-Time mark of 13.67 to earn All-American status. She also sits at NC#10 All-Time in the indoor 60m Hurdles with a time of 8.59.
Rhodes is the #10 returner in the 100m Hurdles in the US and was one of the biggest hurdle recruits in the country this year.
Rhodes had this to say about her commitment, "I chose Tennessee because I really connected with the team and the coaches, the environment felt very comfortable, and I feel that I can be academically successful there."
Watch Akira Rhodes defend her NCHSAA 4A 100m Hurdles Outdoor State Title
Rhodes will look to climb the North Carolina All-Time list during the indoor and outdoor season. Below are North Carolina's All-Time list for the indoor 60m Hurdles and Outdoor 100m Hurdles provided by NCPrepTrack.
OUTDOOR 100 meter hurdles (33") STATE ALL-TIME LIST
(The girls went from 30" to 33" hurdles after 1984)
(Some performers ran 33" hurdles prior to 1984, though)
Anna Cockrell Char. Providence Day 13.17 +0.7 2016 NBNO 6/18
Latoya James Burlington Cummings 13.38w +2.6 2007 (best legal time, 13.67)
Ebony Williams Winston-Salem Parkland 13.44 +1.1 2015 State 4A 5/9
Keni Harrison Clayton 13.49 -0.4 2011 New Balance Outdoor Natl.
Gabriele Cunningham Char Mallard Creek 13.51 +1.1 2015 State 4A 5/9
Jacklyn Howell Southeast Raleigh 13.52w +3.4 2014 NCHSAA 4A 5/17
(best legal: 13.68 +0.5 2014 NBNO, Gbo 6/14)
Clara Hairston East Forsyth 13.54 1981 info
Mollie Williams Clayton 13.54 -0.1 2013 Blunt Inv 7/21
LaTasha Pharr North Rowan 13.59 2000
Gabby Mayo Southeast Raleigh 13.60 +0.6 2006
Akira Rhodes Char Mallard Creek 13.67 +1.9 2017 NBNO 6/17
