It took quite some time for USC's Bryshon Nellum to fulfill the promise that made him the top track athlete in the nation coming out of Long Beach Poly High School in 2007.
Nellum finished third in the Men's 400m Final with a PR of 44.80 on
Sunday in Eugene, Oregon to earn a spot in the 2012 Olympics.
There's been nothing ordinary about Nellum's journey, including the improbable comeback that has resulted in him qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Team.
"It's been a long journey for me," Nellum said. "I finally had a healthy season. It's a blessing to be able to compete out here."
Nellum narrowly edged USC teammate Josh Mance by .08 of a second. As a result, with a fourth place finish, Mance will also travel to London as part of the 4x400 relay team. Nellum's time of 44.80 moves him into fourth place on USC's all-time 400m list.
Nellum's performance is impressive given that just a few years ago, as a 19-year old in October 2008, Nellum was shot three times in the leg and wasn't sure if he would walk again. The gunshot wounds Nellum suffered caused him to miss the entire 2009 season.
From that point on, he continuously ran in pain, with bullet fragments touching the nerve in his leg.
In the offseason leading up to the 2012 season, Nellum had another surgery, in which it was believed all of the remaining bullet fragments were removed.
He went on to have his best season as a Trojan. Earlier this year he ran a 45.18 in the 400m, which was a PR and the fastest time in the nation.
Last month at the Pac-12 Championships, he won the 400m with a time of 45.20, proclaiming he was back and the injury was finally behind him.
"I just put it all in God's hands," Nellum said. "It's not my plans; it's His plans."
Nellum's comeback will continue in London this summer where he'll join LaShawn Merrit and Florida's Tony McQuay in the 400m, representing the United States.
Merrit won the 400m final on Sunday with a time of 44.12 –the best in the world this season. McQuay finished in second with a 44.49.
