BUDAPEST, Hungary – Tiger alum Vernon Norwood closed out a thrilling week in Budapest for LSU fans with a podium finish at the World Athletics Championships.
Three days after taking fourth in the 400-meter final with a time of 44.39 seconds, Norwood joined the Team USA 4×400-meter relay squad in the final.
Team USA rolled out a relay squad consisting of Trevor Bassitt, Matthew Boling, Christopher Bailey, and Justin Robinson to take first in the heats with a time of 2:58.47. Their time led all countries, beating out India in second with an Asian-continental record of 2:59.05.
Heading into the final, the American squad retained Robinson but added Quincy Hall, Norwood, and Rai Benjamin. Hall was the lone American in the 400-meter final earlier in the week, taking bronze with a time of 44.39 seconds.
The final started off with Hall clocking a time of 44.54 seconds before handing off to Norwood on the second leg. The Morgan City, La., native went on to clock the fastest split of the day with 44.01 seconds.
“We came out here with a great group of guys and we have to give credit to the other group that got us to the final,” said Norwood.
It was the seventh gold medal and 10th medal overall — all in relay events — for Norwood in international competition since turning pro after completing his collegiate eligibility in 2015. This includes the Olympics, World Championships, World Indoor Championships, and World Relays.
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