Oklahoma Native Set To Compete In Olympics

An Oklahoma native and Oklahoma University Sooner is set to represent Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Vernon Turner is from Yukon and will compete in high jumping at the summer games.

"Finally being able to just support Oklahoma and support Sooner Nation and my family, and go over there and jump for something more than myself is a big thing." Said Turner.

Turner participated in the 2016 trials when he was only a junior at Yukon High School. He competed again in the 2020 trials. This year he was able to make it onto the team.

"It was the moment like 'you finally did it', there's still more work to be done," said Turner. " To be able to call yourself an Olympian like that, not many people get that opportunity in their life"

Turner is still trying to stay focused ahead of the Olympics.

"I'm trying to stay grounded and just know that I need to celebrate it," said Turner.