Norris, who will study sports management, will compete in eights and fours sweeping crews.
"I've never swept before so that will be something new as well. I've been putting in plenty of work in the gym because they will test my power to rate ratio on the erg shortly after I arrive. They've just had their nationals so we will have 12 months to prepare for the next ones. While I've had less time on the water in recent weeks I will be getting out more soon."
Norris, who has only been rowing for four years, was concerned coach Huhta might have been alarmed at her slow time for her gold medal-winning club single title at the February nationals in Twizel when she shook off a bout of the shingles before her final.
"I contacted Karl shortly after the nationals and told him I was really sick. He understood."
Huhta had to be impressed with Norris's rowing CV. At the 2016 club nationals she won gold in the under-18 coxless quad with Kate Laracy, Jessica Turfrey and Georgia King.
At this year's North Island championships Norris repeated her 2016 gold medal efforts in the club and senior single finals.
While competing for Washington State Norris will get two trips back to the Bay each year, one during the Christmas holidays and one during June and July.
"I will be able to row for Hawke's Bay but the only regatta on when I'm home is our own New Year's Regatta so that one will be a possibility," Norris said.
"The 2024 Olympics have to be the long-term goal as I will still be in the States in 2020. I believe this scholarship will be a big help towards me getting there."
Former Napier Girls' High School student Twigg competed in the women's single sculls at the last three Olympics and finished fourth last year and in 2012.
Norris heaped kudos on the work her coaches, Cedric Bayly, Ross Webb, and Michael Harrison, have done during the past four years to get her to the level required for the scholarship.
"Those three and so many others at the club have pushed me so I can achieve what I have."
Webb, who is also the Hawke's Bay Rowing Club's club captain, said there are concerns within New Zealand rowing circles about young talent heading offshore.
"But I don't believe this scholarship will be an impediment to Jessica's Olympic ambitions. It will be a huge life experience with high expectations on academic achievement as well."
"As long as she meets the high performance level standards upon her return Jessica will still be able to trial for New Zealand teams," Webb added.
Norris is the first Hawke's Bay club member to embark on a United States-based rowing scholarship since former NGHS student Hayley Jenkins, the sister of former New Zealand rep Thomas Jenkins, completed one in 2012.