Norwood gets ready to compete

While he may be Tokyo-bound for the Olympic Games, Morgan City High alum Vernon Norwood said Friday he still hasn’t really had that moment to truly recognize what he has done.
He said the feeling of going to the Olympics is a good one, and maybe he will start to realize what he has truly done on the plane ride to Tokyo.
“I still never had my moment to really soak in and break down yet, but I know it’s going to come because it usually hits me a little later,” the 2011 Morgan City High grad said Friday during a lengthy interview with his prep coaches and family. “I might break down in the middle of the night. I might just start crying actually.”
Norwood said he learned he was going to the Olympics in some form — either as a 400-meter runner or a member of one of the two relays — from officials after he qualified for the finals in the 400-meter finals at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon last month.
In the finals, Norwood placed fifth in the 400-meter run. According to the Olympic bylaws, the top three finishers in the event qualify for the finals.
At the Olympics, Norwood will be in the 4x400-meter relay pool, and he said he likely would run in the co-ed 4x400-meter run, too.
He will leave July 24 for Tokyo.
On July 30, the first round of the co-ed 4x400-meter relay, which features two men and two women, will be run. The finals will be held a day later.
The first round of the 4x400-meter relay will be held Aug. 6, while the finals will be held Aug. 7.
“I can’t really explain all of the emotions how I really feel, but I (can tell you) I feel real good about it,” he told The Daily Review of the upcoming trip.
Norwood said it’s a good feeling to know that residents of Morgan City, his native New Orleans and others who know him or are fans all are supporting him.
Look for more on Norwood later this month in a preview of his races as well as an in-depth feature in The Daily Review’s annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival edition.