Flying With Eagles

Published 2:00 am Wednesday, June 30, 2010

PROCTORVILLE — When Morehead State took a look at its shopping list, it found the perfect item in a Fairland runner.

With a need for sprinters, the Morehead State Golden Eagles helped fill the void by signing the Fairland Dragons’ senior track standout Hunter Gibson to a letter-of-intent.

“(Morehead coaches) were interested in me because they needed some sprinters primarily,” said Gibson. “It’s more of a distance school and they needed to fill up the roster with some sprinters.”

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Although Gibson is considered a sprinter, he has combined running as well as the high jump in his resume.

Gibson was third in high jump, second in the 400 meters and earned all-league first team honors as a member on the winning 4×400 relay team at the Ohio Valley Conference meet.

In the district meet, Gibson tied for sixth in high jump at 5-10. His best jump of the season was 6-1.

He also placed fourth in the 400 meters and ran a leg on the 4×200 relay team that place second and qualified for the regional meet.

Gibson said he will be part of various running events with the Eagles.

“They want me to try the 400 and 800 and the 4×4 and 4×2 relays,” said Gibson. “I’ll probably run more shorter races and mid-distance and help out on the 4×4 relay.”

Besides track, Gibson also ran cross country for the Dragons and may do the same with the Eagles.

“I didn’t run cross country until my senior year and I saw a great difference in getting my times down. I’ll probably run cross country (at Morehead). It’ll keep me in shape and keep me better prepared,” Gibson said.

Running and training will be the key for Gibson who knows he must improve his times at the college level.

“I want to try and run a 49 (seconds) in the 400,” said Gibson. “It’s going to take a lot more hard work and dedication.”

Gibson plans to major in criminology.