Anna Cockrell aims for redemption at Paris Olympics

USA TRACK AND FIELD

Anna Cockrell, a Providence Day alumnus, earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team after finishing second in the 400 meter hurdles last month with a clocking of 52.64 seconds.

Anna Cockrell will once again represent the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Cockrell, a Providence Day graduate, earned silver in the 400-meter hurdles at the Olympic trials with a time of 52.64 seconds. The clocking was her first sub-53 seconds in the event with winner Sydney McLaughlin pushing her to a faster seed time.

“I knew it was going to be a fast race, I knew there would be personal bests all around and I just wanted to put myself in there,” Cockrell told reporters after the race with a silver medal around her neck. “I was super nervous, but we got it done.”

Cockrell excelled at Providence Day with coach Carol Lawerence before breaking barriers at the Southern California. Through her professional contract with Nike, Cockrell has been training under coach Boogie Johnson, who is renowned as one of the greatest sprint and hurdles coaches of all time.

“It really took a full year and a full season of training really hard,” she said. “When Boogie moved us to Arkansas, I just embraced it and I’m so grateful to the University of Arkansas for allowing us to be there.”

Cockrell is looking for redemption in Paris after being disqualified in the 2021 Tokyo finals. She credited training partner and former Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad for helping her prepare for the trials. Muhammad failed to qualify.

“I’m so grateful for her mentorship and the impact she’s had on this sport,” Cockrell said.

Cockrell wasn’t the only Charlottean at the trials.

Harding High alumnus Akala Garrett was in the 400-meter hurdles final as well. Garrett, a freshman at Texas and an under-20 world champion, finished seventh despite a broken foot. She finished fourth at NCAA finals just three weeks prior.

“This isn’t nothing but God, I’m so thankful with that not being my best race,” Garrett posted on Instagram after semis. “God said you will move on. He is so amazing because it’s crazy that I’m a freshman in the Olympic trials final!! I literally couldn’t stop crying when I found out, someone pinch me.”

Garrett’s mother, Sonja Collins added: “I'm so extremely proud of the journey she has had and I know there is more in store for her and this is only the beginning. What an experience to have, I trust God and know that she will be back and better than ever. So thankful for this experience.”

Collins, who competed in track and field at Georgia, is head coach for Purpose Driven Elite Track Club, which has produced several high-level athletes.  One of them, Arkansas freshman Kaylyn Brown, also competed at the trials.

Brown, a Mallard Creek High graduate who finished second in the 400 meters and first in the 4x400 at last month’s NCAA championships, clocked 50.07 at the trials, missing the Olympic team by one spot.

“All glory to God for getting me through my first collegiate track season. I am beyond blessed for everyone that has supported me through this journey,” Brown posted on Instagram. “Thank you to my teammates and coaches who welcomed me with open arms and never let me doubt myself when I felt like giving up.”
 

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