LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) -While many West Texas athletes are still reaching for the podium in the final days of the 2024 Paris Olympics, very few had a more-successful round on Friday than Alaysha Johnson (Texas Tech, 2019).
In Friday's semifinal round to the Women's 100m Hurdles, Johnson not only cruised into Saturday's final, her finishing time of 12.34 seconds was the best of the day. At the starting block, Johnson was off to fast start with a reaction time of .133. While she pulled towards the front, her only challenger on the final hurdles was Dutch speedster Nadine Visser (12.43).
Along with Visser- in Saturday's gold medal-race, the former Red Raider will aso face Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico, who was only .01 slower than Johnson. Her nation is still looking for its first medal in these Olympics. The race is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. CST.
Vernon Norwood (South Plains College 2012-13) also delivered a clutch performance at Stade de France Friday. In the semifinals to the Men's 4x400m Relay, the United States had the seventh-best start in the opening heat.
Upon receiving the baton from 16-year-old Quincy Williams, Norwood ran the best leg of his race (43.54). With the help of Bryce Deadmon and Christopher Bailey, the U.S. elevated from seventh to third in the heat, thus earning a spot in Saturday's final. The former SPC Texan is no stranger to relays.
In the Mixed 4x400m relay, he already has a Tokyo gold and Paris silver on his resume.Quincy Hall, who earned gold earlier this week in the men's 400m, will likely run for the United States Saturday. He didn't run in Friday's semi, but will be well-rested in time for competition. The finals to the Men's 4x400m Relay gets underway 2 p.m. CST.
Midland-native Bryce Hoppel will also grace the international spotlight once more this weekend. In the third and last semifinal heat in the Men's 800m, he was second to cross the finish line (1:43.41), and was second-best overall- only behind Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya (1:43.42).
This will be the first finals appearance for the former Midland High Bulldog, who also ran for the Kansas Jayhawks. In Tokyo- Hoppel reached the semifinals, but wasn't able to advance. The biggest race of his life is set for 12:05 p.m. CST Saturday.
The 2024 Paris Olympics can be seen on KCBD-TV and Peacock. Coverage concludes with Sunday's closing ceremony.