COLUMBIA - Anna Cockrell grabbed the U.S. no. 1 time in the 400-meter hurdles Saturday evening, at the same time breaking the record for the event at the Taco Bell Classic.
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Cockrell, a student at Providence Day in North Carolina, ran the 400 hurdles in 57.78, topping the previous Taco Bell record of 58.96 set eight years ago. Brandee Johnson of Nansemond River, Va., and the previous U.S. no. 1 holder, placed second.
Three of the U.S. top five hurdlers competed in the finals, including Cockrell, Johnson and Imagine Patterson of Summerville, the U.S. no. 5 in the 400 hurdles and the current state Class AAAA champion.
Cockrell said she got off to a good start in the 400, clearing the first two hurdles in good shape.
"I could kind of see Brandee out of the corner of my eye, but really focusing on staying relaxed and pacing myself," Cockrell said.
She started to pick up her pace heading into the final 200 and at the 150-meter mark she "went for it."
"I kne...
