Greg Gibson, Jackson cross country

Jackson's Greg Gibson is proving he is healthy and ready to run this fall.

The senior won the boys race in the White Division at the Forest Park Festival on Saturday, posting a time of 17 minutes, 6.4 seconds.

"I did not set any goal and was not as nervous as I usually get," Gibson said. "I wish my time was faster, but I moved when I had to. I felt I ran a good strategic race.

"The main thing I got out of this race was that I felt good," Gibson said. "I got on a great strength training program this summer and this was the first test of the season."

Gibson's performance Saturday followed a season-opening run at the Jackson Invitational on Sept. 6 when he placed second in the senior class run behind Poplar Bluff junior Travis Blalock. Gibson was denied in his bid to win a fourth straight individual win at the Jackson meet, but he led the senior boys team to a first-place finish.

Gibson last year ran only three meets at the beginning of the season before a strained left oblique muscle ended up sidelining him until January.

"Greg, we've kind of held him back just so he won't get hurt," Jackson coach Andrea Talley said. "Once Greg is gradually able to up his mileage and hopefully not overtrain, and stay healthy, then I think by the end of the season I think he'll be up with Blalock."