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Gatorade 2021 - 2022: Player of the Year

Girls Track & Field - North Carolina

athletes playing Girls Track & Field
The POY Logo
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

Akala Garrett

Hurdles
HARDING UNIVERSITY HS
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
JUNIOR
Height: 5-FOOT-6
Press Release

Peak Performance

1st - 13.44

Nike Outdoor Nationals - 100m high hurdles

1st - 57.46

Nike Outdoor Nationals - 400m intermediate hurdles
“Akala Garrett is fearless and a true joy to watch. I was fortunate to be out there for Nike Nationals and had the chance to watch her dominate some of the best athletes in the nation. She’s a tremendous talent who embraces the challenge of competing in four events at every meet.”
Brandon Webb
Head Coach coach at Ardrey Kell High
excellence star

Athletic Excellence

The 5-foot-6 junior won two national championships this past season, capturing both the 100-meter high hurdles and the 400-meter intermediate hurdles at the Nike Outdoor Nationals. The state’s returning Gatorade Player of the Year in girls track and field, Garrett won the 400 hurdles in 57.46 seconds, which ranked as the nation’s No. 1 performance among prep girls competitors in 2022, and she took the 100 high hurdles in 13.44. She also won both the 100 hurdles and the 300 hurdles at the Class 4A state meet. Her season-best clockings of 13.33 in the 100 hurdles and 40.62 in the 300 hurdles both ranked No. 1 nationally this season.

a graduation cap

Academic Achievement

Garrett has maintained a 3.38 GPA in the classroom. She will begin her senior year of high school this fall.

first place ribbon

Exemplary Character

Garrett has volunteered locally on behalf of youth track programs.