Norwood still in the running for Tokyo Olympics

Morgan City High alum Vernon Norwood finished fifth in the 400-meter dash at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, Sunday.
While only the top three qualified in the 400-meter run, that doesn’t mean Norwood, a 2011 Morgan City graduate, is out of Olympic competition because the United States’ 4x400-meter relay has to be filled. According to bylaws, as many as six competitors can be taken on the relay — the top three finishers in the event, an alternate and two who are selected.
Judging by Norwood’s Facebook post, he appears to already have made it.
Sunday night, he posted, “Thank you all for the love and support. I appreciate y’all, and I try my best to represent. I bleed green and white!! … We did it! #TokyoOlympics2021”
The Tokyo Olympics begin July 21 and end Aug. 8.
In Sunday night’s finals, Norwood finished fifth with a time of 44.92. Michael Norman, Michael Cherry and Randolph Ross qualified, while Trevor Stewart is the alternate. Norman won the event in 44.07.
Norwood qualified for the finals after running a time of 45.12 in the semifinals.
He advanced to the semifinals after clocking in at 45.46 in first-round action.