Zaya Akins, Zaya Akins, Zaya Akins
Fun fact: Raytown South's Zaya Akins has never lost to a Missourian in her high school career.
What?
I'll say it again. Zaya Akins has NEVER lost to a Missourian sprinter. Of course, her freshman year of high school was the spring of 2020, but even though she's only ran two season of high school track and field, she has still had no problem dominating every Missourian with whom she has come to contact.
Akins is a 5-time state champion with 2 wins each in the 100 and 400 meter dash and one win in the 200 meter dash. She has all-conditions state records in all three sprint events - 11.32w, 22.94 (NWI), and 52.88. She's the only Missourian to ever break 53 seconds in the 400 meter dash. She won both the 100 and 200 meter dashes at the Great Southwest Classic this past June and was the New Balance Outdoor National Champion in the 400 meter dash. Akins is also an Indoor National Champion after winning the 400 meter dash at Nike Indoor Nationals in March.
Akins is quite easily the most decorated and successful female sprinter the state has seen. After all of these accolades, will could her senior year possibly bring?
She'll be announcing her college commitment on January 2nd to either the University of Florida, the University of Georgia, or the University of Kentucky.