WASHINGTON (June 21, 2024) - Inside the round and gold-plated diamond pendant dangling from Sherri-Ann Norton's (Plantation, Fla.) neck before track meets lies her motivation -- a small color wedding photo of her deceased parents.
 
It also provides peace because Norton knows they are watching, cheering and smiling from above.
 
Beneath the composed and focused exterior of the affable Howard University rising senior sprinter lies the pain of helplessly witnessing her parents take their final breath a few days before Christmas when she was seven years old. She has never questioned what happened, instead relying on her faith to process that evening.

Celebrating Christmas for several years was hard because that normally joyful season was sad, constantly reminding Norton of what was missing.
 
Nothing has been easy for Norton, who has faced and conquered numerous challenges. Her resilience and determination are a testament to her ability to triumph over adversity. Finding solace on the track, she channels her anguish into her accomplishments, a powerful tribute to her parents and a beacon of hope for others.

"Just before stepping into the blocks, I take a moment to express my gratitude to my parents," Norton said. "It serves as a reminder of how far I've come and the challenges I've overcome. My parents always told me that I am blessed and special, and although I did not fully grasp it then, I'm beginning to understand it now. Their love for the sport provides me with comfort and motivation, creating a bittersweet feeling of nostalgia and determination as I compete."
 
Her parents, the driving force behind Norton's running career, instilled in her a belief that she could achieve anything. Their memory is a constant source of inspiration and their absence is a profound loss. Winning her first race as the youngest member of her elementary team in Jamaica was a poignant moment, a precious memory she was able to create for her parents.

Long before Norton blossomed into a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champion, she had navigated trauma while processing grief and an uncertain future about who would raise her and her siblings. She lived with her aunt and grandmother for three years.
 
It was challenging before she found a permanent home in 2012 with her uncle, Glenroy, and his wife, Jennifer Norton, who resided in Florida. Norton, who was in therapy until 2013, has been in America since then.
 
"They graciously adopted my sister and I, providing us with a stable and loving home," Norton said. "In 2012, when we were officially adopted. My adopted mother and I first bonded over our shared passion for track. I find new sources of motivation, such as my faith in God, who has blessed me with this talent. 'As long as I can keep going, I will.'"
 
A portrait of resilience, Norton overcame plenty of hurdles on the track.
 
Norton was slowed by a sports hernia that required her to stop competing for over a month in March. Despite that challenge this past season, Norton was one of the Bison 4 x 100-meter relay representatives, along with Kailei Collins (Houston), Aiyana Gray-Williams (Winston-Salem, N.C.), Tiffani-Rae Pittman (Bowie, Md.) and Mackenzie Robinson (Ypsilanti, Mich.) at the recently completed NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where they earned honorable mention All-American honors after finishing their race in 44.13 seconds. Norton was an alternate on the 4 x 100-meter relay team.
 
During her freshman year, Norton tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and suffered a second-degree hamstring injury. She has rebounded and enjoyed a sparkling career in which she was a member of the Bison's 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 MEAC champion relay teams during the 2023 outdoor championships.
 
She was also a MEAC and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Champion during the 2022 indoor season. Norton ran a personal best (7.46) in the 60-meter dash at the MEAC Indoor Championships. She won the 60-meter dash (7.64) and 200-meter dash (24.56) and was also a member of the winning 4 x 200-meter relay team (1:39.68) at the HBCU Showcase.
 
She has kept a positive attitude despite all the obstacles and setbacks.
 
"My support system has helped me so much, knowing God has a plan for me," Norton said. "My coaches also provide me encouragement, which motivates me to overcome challenges. I have much more to offer and I am committed to giving my best effort rather than settling for less. Having a strong athletic team and the support of my physical therapist also contributed significantly to my journey. Missing that much practice and competition time made it challenging to return and dominate."
 
Norton, who aspires to become a physical therapist and eventually open her facility to help student-athletes who cannot afford physical therapy, appreciated the significance of representing Howard at the NCAA Championships. Her future plans reflect her determination to give back and help others, a testament to her selflessness.
 
Norton has been impressive off the track, too. In addition to being named to the 2024 MEAC Outdoor Track & Field All-Academic Team, she participated in the Women's Sports Foundation Leadership Symposium for student-athletes in New York. The experience of being surrounded by plenty of powerful women left an impression.
 
"Being in that environment demonstrated that I'm not isolated in this sport and many other women share similar experiences," Norton said. "My personal growth involves learning how to navigate interviews, especially since I often feel anxious in front of a camera and developing connections with other athletic teams."
 
Among her hobbies are braiding hair, perfecting her cooking skills and going to the gym during the off-season. Norton has also become a student of sprinting, where she enjoys breaking down her races and all the nuances that go into being successful.
 
"I love sprinting for many reasons," Norton said. "I enjoy the thrill of running fast. I am also fascinated by the science behind sprinting. There is always something new to learn daily, such as analyzing mechanics, stride length and leg length to create specialized workouts. Additionally, I find it exciting to see how sprinting has evolved over the years."
 
Norton is accomplishing a lot and the past has given Norton an appreciation for the present and has her excited for the future.
 
"Howard is a special place for me because I am surrounded by people who look like me and most students share my passion for excelling," Norton said. "Howard pushes me out of my comfort zone and teaches me that if I want something, I must act quickly. Additionally, I have met some lifelong friends and have been blessed with a wonderful team and coaching staff. I am excited for next season, leaving one of my favorite quotes: 'You don't get what you want. You get what you work for.' It's a great honor to represent Howard nationally and leave behind footsteps for others to follow."
 
Her parents would be proud of the young woman Norton has become. They would be in awe of her strength and passion. Most of all, they would beam with pride knowing she is impacting the world while attending one of the most prestigious institutions in the country.
 

Rob Knox is an award-winning professional. A member of the Lincoln (Pa.) Hall of Fame, Knox enjoyed a distinguished career as an athletics communicator for Lincoln, Kutztown, Coppin State, Towson, and UNC Greensboro. He also worked at ESPN and for the Delaware County Daily Times. Recently, Knox was honored by the NCAA with its Champion of Diversity award. Knox is a graduate of Lincoln University and a past president of the College Sports Information Directors Association of America (CoSIDA).
 

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.