Girls Moment of the Year - Akala Garrett Finally Gets The 300m Hurdle State Record
Akala Garrett is no stranger to the spotlight. She wanted to make one final race count, and that she did. At the NCHSAA 1A State Championship, Garrett had already captured a state title in the 100mH, but she was eyeing the clock in the 300mH. She had been chasing Anna Cockrell's state records in the 100mH and 300mH her whole career. She got the 100mH record (12.96) in her outdoor opener, but the 300mH record was on her mind. Garrett has a close relationship with Cockrell, and even told her in the weeks leading up to the state meet that her 300mH record was going down.
The NCHSAA 1A State Championship, her final high school race on North Carolina surface, was the perfect spot. The record she was gunning for: 40.46. Garrett shot out of the blocks like lightning, making up the stagger on her outside quickly. It was very obvious that this was going to be Garrett versus the clock.
40.26.
New State Record.
Garrett could not believe it. She dropped to her knees in awe of herself and her accomplishment, and rightfully so. The greatest hurdler in state history has finally solidified herself as the best.