BROWNWOOD, Texas – Howard Payne University's Greg Nixon ran the opening leg and helped the United States to its fourth straight men's 4x400-meter relay gold medal at the world championships, finishing ahead of South Africa.

Greg Nixon started off the race and handed to Bershawn Jackson. Angelo Taylor ran the third leg and LaShawn Merritt crossed the finish line first in 2 minutes, 59.31 seconds to give the United States its ninth gold medal of the championships.

Nixon was a standout wide receiver and All-American sprinter for Howard Payne before running on the international level. Among other accomplishments, Nixon has also won gold medals for the United Sates in the 4x400-meter relay at the world indoor championships in 2008 and 2009.

South Africa finished second for silver in 2:59.87. Jamaica took bronze in 3:00.10.

-Courtesy Howard Payne University Sports Information Department