ORU's Gibson Sets National Record With Fifth Place Finish

In an incredibly fast final, Oral Roberts University senior Jeffery Gibson has plenty to be happy about in a fifth place finish in the 400m hurdles in the finals of the NCAA Championships.

Gibson, who earned first team All-American honors, shattered his personal best in the event, and broke a 30 year old Bahamian national record in the process.

"What a performance," coach Joe Dial said. "We couldn't be happier with the way Jeffery competed today. He just became a national hero back home."

One of the oldest standing records in the Bahamas, Greg Rolle ran 49.46 in the event back in 1983. With Gibson's recent success, lowering the school record with back-to-back sub-50 performances leading up to Eugene, many in his native land took notice.

Even more took notice on Friday, as Gibson ran 49.39 to take home fifth, earning the second All-American accolade of his career. Gibson's time also hit the "A" Standard for the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow.

The race concludes the 2013 NCAA Championship for ORU, but the Golden Eagles will leave Eugene with three All-American honors after Jack Whitt (pole vault) and Morrie Turner (long jump), finished second and tied for 15th in their respective events. It is the second year in a row in which the Golden Eagles have had at least three athletes earn All-American honors, with Whitt, Gibson, Clive Chafausipo and Camila Pirelli all earning at least honorable mention in 2012.