Former Bainbridge High School male senior athlete of the year Ty Akins, who claimed two Southeastern Conference championships and a national championship during a five-time All-American career in the 110-meter hurdles at Auburn University, is training for the United States Olympic Trials.

Akins, son of Howard Stephens and Phyllis and Samuel Freeman, will be competing Friday, June 29, in Eugene, Ore., for a spot on the track-and-field team that will represent the United States at this summer’s Olympic Games in London, England.

During his Bainbridge High School career, Akins was an All-Region and All-State hurdler with the Bearcats track team and an All-Region wide receiver with the Bearcats football team.

Currently running professionally with the Doyle Management team, Akins turned in strong performances in the 110-meter hurdles in various overseas professional meets in 2011.

Akins was second in the 110-meter hurdles in Poland, with a time of 13.38 seconds. He was first in Sweden, Czechoslovakia and France with times of 13.40 seconds, 13.35 seconds and 13.35 seconds.

He was second in Germany, Italy and Switzerland with times of 13.43 seconds, 13.30 seconds and 13.30 seconds.

Following the successful foreign meets tour, Akins returned to Auburn to work out with his  head track coach Ralph Spry.

Spry and Akins’ Bearcats track coach Dr. Larry Clark both had words of praise for his efforts in the foreign meets.

“Ty Akins is a world-class hurdler running world-class times,” Spry said.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Ty Akins,” added Clark. “The best thing about his overseas efforts were the consistency he showed. All of his times were very low.”