The Albemarle senior erupted in her outdoor track season debut earlier this week. As Akala Garrett prepares for indoor nationals later this month, she took to the outdoor track to keep her gears tuned up. And tuned-up they were.
She exploded out of the blocks, clearing the first hurdle powerfully and effortlessly. From there it was a race against the clock.
State 100mH All-Time Rankings | NC 100mH Returning Rankings
The Texas signee crossed the line in 12.96 (NWI), to an audible gasp from the crowd, over how far in front she was. Garrett is now the first female in state history, and 9th in high school history, to break 13.00 for the 100m hurdles under all conditions. This is a huge accomplishment for the two-time indoor NCHSAA state meet MVP because it is in fact her first state record.
Garrett is currently US No. 17 all-time in the 300mH, an event she has yet to run in the 2023 season. She is NC No. 2 all-time in the event, as she clocked 40.62 last spring. Only two preps in history have dipped under 40.00, could the reigning 400m hurdle U20 champion be the third? She is also US No. 13 all-time in the 400mH, after her gold medal-winning 56.16 at the IAAF U20 World Championships.
