Vernon Norwood to represent Team USA in Portland

Former four-time South Plain's NJCAA national champion Vernon Norwood added another notch onto an already stunning resume, as the world-class 400-meter specialist took the top spot in the men's 400-meter final at the Indoor Championships in Portland, Oregon on March 12.

Norwood's final time of 45.80 earned him the right to represent the United States at the World Championships on March 17th through the 20th at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. Norwood finished more than one tenth ahead of silver medalist Kyle Clemons and bonze medalist Elvyonn Bailey, who finished with times of 45.95 and 46.22, respectively.

While attending South Plains from 2011 to 2013, Norwood won three national championships in the 4x400, as well as one national title in the 600 meters, and was named a six-time NJCAA All-American.

Following his career at South Plains, Norwood moved on to the division one level to run for Louisiana State University (LSU) where he would go on to be named a four-time NCAA champion, eight-time All-American, and was a nine-time All-SEC selection.

The Morgan City, Louisiana native went on to sweep the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor national titles during his 2015 senior season, becoming only the 14th sprinter in collegiate history to be crowned national champion in the Indoor and Outdoor 400-meters.

Norwood would then become the anchor on the Tiger's 4x400-meter relay team, earning a national Indoor title in 2014, while also earning national championship honors in the Outdoors in 2015.