Princess Anne alum ready to move on after final track meet

In a commercial that ran often during the college basketball tournaments in March, the NCAA let people know that there are 380,000 student-athletes in college... and just about every one of them will go pro in something other than sports.

Dionne Gibson knows that message well. Gibson, a Princess Anne High School grad, will compete in her final collegiate track meet this week when she runs at the 2009 NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships.

The event begins today in Arkansas and runs through Saturday.

The Charleston Southern University grad will compete in the 200 meters and 400 relay. But following the meet, Gibson will head to Atlanta, where competitive running won't be on the agenda.

"The day after I return from nationals, I start my program for my doctorate in physical therapy from Emory University," Gibson said Tuesday from her hotel room in Fayetteville, Ark.

"I'm real happy I made it here, and I'm enjoying the experience. And I'm very blessed to be able to end my college career this way."

Gibson admittedly wasn't a star athlete at Princess Anne. She didn't win any state or region individual titles but was the Beach District champion in the 400 meters outdoors and 300 indoors. She also earned all-state honors in the both events, finishing third in the 300 at the state meet.

Instead of going to a big school, Gibson opted for Charleston Southern.

"I chose Charleston Southern because it was a small school," she said. "I didn't want to be just another face or a number."

Gibson had immediate success. She set school records in the 200 and 400 as a freshman and was a scholar-athlete.

It only got better for Gibson, who went on to break numerous school and Big South Conference records. In 2008, she was honored with the Big South Athlete of the Year award.

She also qualified for nationals last season in the 200 and placed 15th, the highest finish by a Charleston Southern athlete. A member of Psi Chi Honor Society, she also maintained a 3.4 grade-point average.

Gibson credited her high school coaches and her current coach, Tosha Ansley, for believing in her when she lacked confidence.

"There are times when I sit back and think, 'Can I really do this or am I really ready for this?' And then my coach will say, 'Don't go there,' " said Gibson, who majored in psychology and has a minor in kinesiology. "She had faith in me when I didn't faith in myself."

Gibson graduated in December but took graduate classes and volunteered at physical therapy sites.

Now, she'll put the final touches on her track career.

"It's sad to say but I think it's time for me to give up track and focus on my career," said Gibson, who has a personal-best time of 23.54 in the 200. "If I could qualify for the finals, that would be great. But if my time improves and I don't make the finals then I'll still be happy.

"It's just a blessing to experience this. But come Monday, my program begins, so I'll be in class at 8 a.m."

Larry Rubama, (757) 446-2273, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com