Akala Garrett on the Awards Stage receiving her gold medal.
Last year Akala Garrett (Purpose Driven Elite TC) won her first AAU Junior Olympic Games National title in the 80m Hurdles for the 11 Year Old Age Group. Through this point in the season, Garrett has only lost one race and it was her opener at the Powerade State Games against Shawnti Jackson (Run U XPress). Garrett Ran a 13.32 that day. Two weeks ago at the Russell Blunt ECI she clocked an impressive 12.16 showing she was a in good form just one week out from the AAU Junior Olympic Games.
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Garrett eased through the prelims easily being the fastest qualifier running 12.51. The next fastest was Taleea Buxton (PA) running 13.00. Garrett was now a heavy favorite to defend her title proving how dominant she was in her prelim heat. Garrett went on to again dominate the field in the finals getting out to an early lead over the second hurdle and holding on for the national title in 12.45 edging Tia Sheppard (NY) who ran 12.66.
Watch Akala Garrett defend her AAU Junior Olympic Games National Title!
Below is an post race interview with Garrett after defending her national title. Garrett isn't done yet for the weekend as she still has the 200 and 400 finals to go on Saturday to close out her summer season!
