Andre Morris
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||
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Born | October 26, 1972 | |||||||||||||||||
Height | 179 cm (5 ft 10 in) | |||||||||||||||||
Sport | ||||||||||||||||||
Sport | Athletics | |||||||||||||||||
Event | Sprint | |||||||||||||||||
Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||||||
Personal best(s) | 200 m – 20.48 (1999) 400 m – 45.15 (1995)[1][2] | |||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Andre Morris (born October 26, 1972) is an American former sprint runner.[1] He was part of American 4 × 400 m relay teams that won gold medals at the 1995 Summer Universiade and 1999 IAAF World Indoor Championships, setting a world indoor record in 1999.
Early life and family
Morris was one of five children born to Frankie Morris.[3] He has one sister and three brothers.[3] He also has six children.[4]
Morris attended Russellville High School in Russellville, Kentucky.[4] At 5 ft 10+1⁄2 in (1.79 m), he was told he was too small to play football, but he began earning playing time as a sophomore following an injury to another player.[3][5] He was named a Blue Chip All-American in football three times.[3] Playing tailback, he was the scoring leader on Russellville's 1990 team that won the Class A state championship.[4][6] He also competed on the track and field team, winning state titles in the 400 m and the 4 × 400 m relay.[4]
College career
Morris graduated from high school in 1991.[4] Despite being recruited by traditional football powerhouses Michigan and Penn State, he followed a high school teammate to Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas.[3] In his second week at the school, he suffered an ankle injury.[3] Soon after, his friend left Hutchinson, and Morris never played in a game for the school.[3] He continued running track and was named a Junior College All-American, earning him a scholarship to the University of Iowa.[4]
Attracted by the fact that the school's head track coach and one assistant coach were both
In 1994 and 1996, Morris was named an NCAA Division I All-American in the 4 × 400 m relay and in 1995, he was an All-American in the 400 m.[5] At the team's awards banquet in 1995, Morris was named most valuable team member, most outstanding sprinter, most improved member, and shared the most inspirational award with his relay teammates.[8] He graduated in summer 1996 with a bachelor's degree in art history.[3]
International career
After graduation, Morris moved to
Despite his success, Morris told
References
- ^ a b "Andre Morris". iaaf.org. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ Andre Morris. trackfield.brinkster.net
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Boyer, Ann Scholl (December 26, 2001). "NFL dreams are still in the running". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Rose, Rod (January 5, 2015). "New RHS Hall of Fame inductees". The News-Democrat & Leader. Russellville, Kentucky.
- ^ a b c d e Ogden, J. R. (August 29, 1999). "Speedy Tractor eyes the NFL". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
- ^ Embry, Mike (December 1, 1990). "RUSSELLVILLE RECOVERS FROM QUICK TD, BEATS BELLEVUE 21–7". Lexington Herald-Leader. Lexington, Kentucky.
- ^ Maloney, Mike (September 5, 1995). "DR. DOT OF U OF L MAKES AMERICA'S FIRST SOFTBALL TEAM". Lexington Herald-Leader. Lexington, Kentucky.
- ^ "NEWS NOTES/ AREA SPORTS". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. November 7, 1995.
- ^ a b Maloney, Mark (March 25, 1999). "ADVERSITY HASN'T KEPT HARDEN FROM COMEBACK". Lexington Herald-Leader. Lexington, Kentucky.