New Orleans, LA --- Junior Terrence Gibson (Rockland, MA) has been tabbed this week's US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division III National Track Athlete of the Week for his outstanding performance by propelling #25 Worcester State to a top 10 finish at the Division III New England Championships at MIT on Saturday.
Gibson, who was also honored as the MASCAC Track Athlete of the Week, shattered school, meet and facility records with top finishes in the 60 meter hurdles (8.02) and the 60 meters (6.80) before he ran the third leg of the second-place 4x400 meter relay (3:22.37) to help the Lancers take home eighth overall for the second-consecutive finish among the top 10 squads.
Individually, Gibson netted 20 of his squads 40 points at the meet and he became the first Worcester State male double Division III Indoor New England Champion since WSU Hall of Famer Stanley Egbor accomplished the feat in 2001 (55 meters – 200 meters).
With his outstanding sprint in the 60 meter hurdles, Gibson clocked the ninth-fastest split in Division III history and he eclipsed last year's Division III New England mark set by Adam Scalesse (Longview, WA) of Coast Guard (8.22). Gibson's sprint of 8.05 in the trials of the Boston University Valentine Invitational on February 8 had been the time to beat nationally.
Gibson also moved into a tie for the national lead in the 60 meters with junior Bruce Gray (Chicago, IL) of Greenville (IL) and third-year Thurgood Dennis (Allouez, WI) of Wisconsin Eau-Claire while the 4x400 relay is ranked among the top 20 in Division III. The previous 60 meter standard at the Division III New England meet had also been established last season by 2012 event National Champion Dominique Kone of Colby (6.82).
The top 15 individual times, heights, distances and point totals along with the 12 lowest 4x400 and distance medley relay splits are picked for the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships during the week of March 13 through the 15.
After garnering a top 10 spot at the Division III New England Championships for the second straight year, the Lancers take aim for a top 20 finish at the Open New England Championships this weekend at Boston University starting on Friday.
USTFCCCA National Track & Field Athletes of the Week
MASCAC Weekly Men's Track & Field Release
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