Is Anna Cockrell The G.O.A.T in NC?

Contenders for NC Female G.O.A.T. in Girls Sprints & Hurdles


Anna Cockrell is the reason for this article.  With her amazing career having just concluded all of her milestones are fresh in our minds, and it would be easy to say that we've never seen an athlete like her in North Carolina before.  Easy to say, but not correct: Anna is NOT the first incredibly versatile, record-setting sprinter/hurdler to come through our state!  Back in 2005 - 2007, one Gabby Mayo took the state by storm, starting with a 100 Hurdles title in her sophomore season and branching out to the 100 Dash, 200 Dash, and 300 Hurdles her last two seasons.  Both won multiple state titles and hold multiple all-time state records, both have their names in Track & Field News' All-Time Top 10 Lists, and both won gold at international competition.  

Unlike some of our other categories, there are only two clear contenders here.  The decision between those two, however, is closer than you would think. See for yourself:



Anna Cockrell, Providence Day

  • All-Time NC Record in 100 Hurdles, 13.17, US #10 All-Time
  • All-Time NC Record in 300 Hurdles, 40.42, US #6 All-Time
  • All-Time NC Record in 400 Hurdles, 55.20, tied for US #2 All-Time
  • All-Time NC Record in Indoor 200 Dash, 23.47, US #8 All-Time
  • All-Time NC Record in Indoor 55 Hurdles, 7.61, US #8 All-Time
  • All-Time NC Record in Indoor 60 Hurdles, 8.18, US #7 All-Time
  • NC #2 All-Time in 200 Dash, 23.42
  • NC #2 All-Time in Indoor 300 Dash, 38.78
  • NC #5 All-Time in Indoor 60 Dash, 7.55
  • NC #6 All-Time in Indoor 55 Dash, 6.91
  • NC #7 All-Time in 400 Dash, 54.22
  • NC #7 All-Time in Indoor 400 Dash, 55.79
  • NC #15 All-Time in 100 Dash, 11.63
  • Won gold at 2016 World Juniors
  • Won gold at 2015 Pan-Am Junior
  • 4th at 2013 World Youth
  • 9-time NCISAA 3A individual champion


WATCH Anna Cockrell Break NC Records for the 1st Time!

100 Hurdles - 300 Hurdles



Gabby Mayo, Southeast Raleigh

  • All-Time NC Record in 100 Dash, 11.16, US #7 All-Time (led the nation, also ran 11.14 wind-aided)
  • All-Time NC Record in 200 Dash, 22.88, US #10 All-Time (led the nation)
  • All-Time NC Record in Indoor 55 Dash, 6.81
  • All-Time NC Record in Indoor 60 Dash, 7.31
  • NC #2 All-Time in Indoor 60 Hurdles, 8.35
  • NC #3 All-Time in Indoor 200 Dash, 24.02
  • NC #4 All-Time in Indoor 300 Dash, 38.94
  • NC #7 All-Time in Indoor 55 Hurdles, 7.88
  • NC #10 All-Time in 100 Hurdles, 13.60
  • NC #21 All-Time in 300 Hurdles, 43.56
  • Won gold and silver at 2006 World Juniors
  • 2007 National Champion at 60 Dash
  • 2006 National Champion at 100 Dash
  • 13-time NCHSAA 4A individual champion


Honorable Mention: Demetria Washington, Terry Sanford

  • All-Time NC Record in 400 Dash, 52.74 (record stands since 1997)
  • NC #14 All-Time in 200 Dash, 23.91


Honorable Mention: Tyra Lea, Wakefield

  • All-Time NC Record in Indoor 300 Dash, 38.76
  • NC #2 All-Time in Indoor 200 Dash, 24.00
  • NC #17 All-Time in 200 Dash, 23.95


Honorable Mention: Ariah Graham, Wakefield

  • All-Time NC Record in Indoor 400 Dash, 53.95 - also NC #6 All-Time overall
  • NC #3 All-Time in Indoor 300 Dash, 38.83
  • NC #3 All-Time in Indoor 500 Dash, 1:13.979


Honorable Mention: McKinley McNeill, Parkland

  • All-Time NC Record in Indoor 500 Dash, 1:13.02
  • NC #2 All-Time in 400 Dash, 53.40
  • NC #3 All-Time in Indoor 400 Dash, 54.64
  • NC #14 All-Time in Indoor 300 Dash, 39.92



ROUND 1 VOTING ENDS TUESDAY AT MIDNIGHT!