PROCTORVILLE — After signing to run track at Morehead State University, Chad Gibson is well aware that his commitment will mean more than just extending his athletic career.

“It’ll mean a lot more work. It’ll take 10 times as much work and probably a lot of lifting and running longer than in high school,” said Gibson.

The Fairland Dragons senior track and cross country standout signed with the Golden Eagles on the heals of an outstanding senior year that saw him advance all the way to the state track meet.

And Gibson not only finished second at the Division II regional track meet to earn a berth in the state meet, he was clocked at 1:57.51 in the 800 meters to set a new school record.

“I wanted to beat the school record, but I wasn’t trying to do it (at the regional). I just wanted to qualify for the state. I figured I had the state meet to try and get the record,” said Gibson.

But one week later, Gibson ran a 2:02.93 time at the state meet and failed to place among the top eight.

“I got there about 11 (a.m.) and I didn’t run until about three (in the afternoon). By the time I ran I was pretty nervous and I ran five seconds slower,” said Gibson. “I didn’t have that extra push at the end.”

The success Gibson enjoyed during his senior season was due to his hard work, but he also paid tribute to the Dragons’ cross country head coach and track distance coach Chuck Wentz.

“I was working really hard because coach Wentz kept pushing me all year,” he said.

An All-Ohio Valley Conference champion in the 800 and 4×800 relay, Gibson is expected to run the 400- and 800-meter races for the Eagles along with the 4×400 and 4×800 relays.

“I might have to run cross country. It depends on what (the coaches) say they want me to do,” Gibson said. “I like running shorter races. They don’t get as boring, although cross country isn’t bad. You get to run in fields and things like that.”

Gibson plans to major in nursing.