TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 02: Kendra Harrison of Team United States reacts after winning the silver medal in the Women's 100m Hurdles Final on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Two athletes born and raised in North Carolina – Keni Harrison and Gabi Cunningham – have shined in the Tokyo Olympic Games in track and field. Harrison grew up in Clayton, North Carolina, and Cunningham is from Charlotte.
In the 100-meter hurdles, Harrison snagged a silver medal while Cunningham secured seventh place. They were both bested by Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, who represented Puerto Rico and finished with a final time of 12.37 seconds. Harrison narrowly missed out on gold, finishing with a final time of 12.52 seconds. Cunningham wrapped up with a final time of 13.01 seconds.
“It was just so fun coming out here and just getting a medal for my country….. Just to get a silver medal at this stage is amazing,” said Harrison.
Anna Cockrell, also a native of North Carolina, qualified for the Olympic final in the women’s 400-meter hurdles. Her qualifying time was fifth-fastest at 54.17 seconds. Cockrell is the sister of Buccaneer’s defensive back Ross Cockrell. The team held a watch party for the defensive back’s sister.
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