Norwood to conclude LSU career this week at nationals

LSU track and field standout Vernon Norwood will look to conclude his decorated career as a Tiger with more hardware this week as the senior and Morgan City High alum begins competition today at the 2015 NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the University of Oregon.
Norwood will compete in the semifinals of the 400-meter dash today as well as a member of the Tigers’ 4x100-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay.
The 4x100-meter relay will kick the day off with a 6 p.m. run, while Norwood will run in the 400 at 7:30 p.m. and the Tigers’ 4x400-meter relay will compete at 9:28 p.m.
“He’s put himself in a really good position here in Eugene to challenge some of the best 400-meter runners in the world, quite honestly, for the (NCAA) championship as well as being a real integral part of both of our highly-ranked 4x100- and 4x400-meter relays,” LSU Track and Field Coach Dennis Shaver said.
Norwood is the top seed among 400-meter runners with a time of 44.94, while the Tigers’ 4x100 meter relay is seeded
While Norwood enters the semifinals with the top seed and won the NCAA Indoor crown in the event, he will face a field that includes Texas A&M’s Deon Lendore, the reigning NCAA Outdoor Champion in the field, who ran the fastest time in the collegiate ranks this season at 44.41 at the SEC championships in May. That time makes Lendore the third fastest 400-meter runner in the world this outdoor season. Norwood finished second at the SEC championships, clocking in at 44.76.
Prior to Lendore’s SEC championship performance, Norwood had the top collegiate time at 44.44, which he ran at the LSU Alumni Gold meet April 18. Norwood’s time of 44.44 makes him the fourth fastest 400 meter runner in the world this year.
Norwood said he expects everyone to compete hard and try to win.
Norwood, who finished third a year ago at nationals in the 400 at 45.45 seconds, said he has progressed a lot since 2014 and is focused on winning this weekend in his final meet as an LSU Tiger.
He said he has “worked extremely hard” during the past year to improve his times.
Norwood said his main focus is to execute his race well “because that’s what it’s going to come down to,” he said.
He believes he can get win the 400 if he sticks to his plan, he said.
Shaver said the field of competitors is a great one.
“It’s one of the best fields I think that we’ve had in recent history when you look at the top 4 or 5 men that are going to be most likely healthy and running in that final,” he said. “We’ve got tremendous respect for the other competitors in the race, but I think Vernon’s certainly primed and ready to challenge anybody that’s in the finals this Friday afternoon.”
For the 4x100 and 4x400, Norwood said he wants the team “to get the stick around fast and execute better.” Norwood said he just wants the team “to do what we’re supposed to do” and not put any extra pressures on themselves.
“It should be fun,” he said.
In his first season running the 4x100 for LSU, Norwood has adapted quickly to the short relay, which he said helped him significantly with speed development for his 400.
The 4x100 also serves as a good warmup for Norwood in his main event, the 400, Norwood said.
The finals in the 4x100-meter relay, the 4x400-meter relay and the 400-meter run all will be held Friday.
The 4x100-meter relay will run at 6:35 p.m., while the 400-meter final will be at 7:35 p.m. and the 4x400-meter final will commence at 8:50 p.m.
Shaver said he was proud to have Norwood represent the track team, the university and the state considering he hails from Louisiana.
“We’re going to miss Vernon,” Shaver said. “Special time for us over the next couple days of competition for the men.”
ESPNU will begin coverage at 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, while ESPN will air coverage Thursday beginning at 7:30 p.m. and Friday beginning at 6:30 p.m.
ESPN3.com also will provide live streaming video each day.