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Revord, Gibson set the tone

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By BILL WARD

wward@tampatrib.com

Published: April 11, 2009

Among the nearly 1,000 high school and college track athletes who competed in Saturday night's University of Tampa Distance Carnival at Pepin Stadium, Jesuit's Connor Revord and Robinson's Darrin Gibson produced performances that will likely end up among the top times in the nation.

Revord's goal was to take down the school record in the 1,600-meter run, held by former teammate Andy Biladeau. Running virtually alone after his opening 400 in 59.6 seconds, the Tigers senior gave it a solid effort. But Revord's final hand-held time of 4:11.5 was just a shade off Biladeau's electronic mark of 4:11.06, set in 2005 during his senior season.

Still, Revord's effort was a lifetime best and currently stands No. 8 this season for the 1,600. It also gives him a shot of confidence that he could eventually eclipse the record en route to next month's Class 2A state finals.

"I came through after three laps and still thought I had it," Revord said. "The crowd cheering me the last 100 really helped. That was great. I wanted to do it for them, but I was just a half-second short."

Later, Gibson put himself among the national leaders in the 800, posting a winning time of 1:52.6 - a lifetime best and a school record.

That time is a state leader and, as of Saturday, No. 6 so far this season.

Also posting an impressive effort was Jesuit senior Jordan Schilit, whose winning 3,200 time of 9:22.3 was a nine-second improvement, and Wharton's distance medley team of Nick Swain, John Grellner, Chris Watson and Gilbert Rodriguez, who broke a school record with their 10:26.0.

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