A week later in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Great Southwest Track and Field Classic, Akins swept the 100, 200, and 400-meter dashes to help Team Missouri to the team title. Akins ran 11.50, 23.39, and 54.70-seconds, all slightly aided with the lowered air resistance that comes at 5,100' of altitude. It was impressive nonetheless, like most times she steps on a track.
Akins captured two 400-meter national titles, the NSAF Nike Indoor and New Balance Nationals Outdoor titles.
Two weeks later Akins was at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, the site of nearly 100 Penn Relays, and host to this year's New Balance Nationals Outdoor meet. Akins ran 52.88 to win the 400, claim her 2nd national title, improve her state record, and move her to 4th on the 2022 national performance list.
Then on Saturday, June 25, Akins ran at the USA Track and Field Under-20 Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. On the line was a chance to make the USA team for the Under-20 World Championships in August in Cali, Colombia. After a preliminary round 53.25, Akins got out hard in the final taking the lead for the first 120-meters or so.
Akins gave up the lead but was able to hang on for 2nd in 52.90, earning the final Team USA berth in the open 400. She'll also be on the Team USA 4x400 squad and possibly the 4x100 team. This will be the first time Akins will represent the USA, a feat that mentor and fellow All-Time great Kansas City and Missouri sprinter Muna Lee accomplished many times, including two Olympics.
Akins placed 2nd in the USATF Under-20 400-meters, to earn a spot on Team USA for the Under-20 World Championships next month in Colombia.
The Gatorade announcement noted Akins 3.88 Grade Point Average and service in her church's youth ministry and volunteer work on behalf of the Ronald McDonald House Charities and the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.
Zaya Akins joins fine company of past Show-Me State greats to have the honor bestowed on them, including recent winners:
2021 Sydney Juszczyk Trinity Catholic
2020 Courtney Williams Nerinx Hall
2019 Tyra Wilson Rock Bridge
2018 Makayla Kelby Lee's Summit West
2017 Alicia Burnett Fort Zumwalt South
2016 Sophia Rivera Brentwood
2015 Hannah Long Eureka