Superstar hurdler Akala Garrett has announced her decision to attend University of Texas in the fall! The multi-time national and state champion has been on fire this outdoor season as she currently sits US No. 1 in both the 300mH and 400mH. During her junior campaign she was US No. 8 in the 100mH.
Garrett is currently NC No. 2 all-time in the 300mH and only sits .2 seconds off Anna Cockrell's (Providence Day/USC) state record. She is also NC No. 2 all-time in the 400mH.
"What brought me to my decision was the connection I had with the coaches and how genuine they were," Garrett told MileSplit NC, "I felt very comfortable and I knew that if track wasn't involved I would still want to be at UT!"
Garrett was able to visit Texas earlier this year and absolutely fell in love.
"I was able to tack an official visit and it was awesome!"
She won the national title in the 60mH at Nike Indoor Nationals last month. She is also the defending indoor 55mH and 500m champion, and was named the NCHSAA 4A State Meet MVP. During the 2021 outdoor season she took home the NCHSAA 4A 100mH and 300mH titles. She went on to win the 400mH at the 2021 USATF National Junior Olympic Championships.
She is excited to get to work in an elite NCAA collegiate program. "I will be in good hands and I know they [future coaches] will love and pish me just as my mom did."
Garrett will be majoring in Broadcast Communication.
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40.42 | 2016 | ||
| 2 | 40.62 | 2023 | ||
| 3 | 41.41 | 2011 | ||
| 4 | 41.75 | 2022 | ||
| 5 | 41.81 | 2012 |