During the first day of the Bahamas Track & Field Nationals on Friday, local favorite Jeffery Gibson did not disappoint family and friends, winning the 400 meters.

Gibson, a 26 year old who attended Bishop Michael Eldon School, formerly Freeport Anglican High School and later Oral Roberts University, is the Bahamian record holder in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 49.39 set at the 2013 NCAA Championships.

Among his accomplishments includes first in the 400 meter hurdles at the 2012 NACAC Under-23 Championship and in the 400 meter hurdles again at the 2014 Pan Am Sports Fesitval. Gibson also copeted at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and all told, has three second and four third place finishes in competitions.

 When asked about his 2017 season, Gibson admitted he was struggling making some adjustments to improve his performance and had a breakthrough about three weeks ago. His winning time Friday was just short of qualifying for World Championships.

He added that he has a few more meets and qualified for World Championships last year but hasn't yet run the qualifying time for this year. His goal was to qualify to help his fellow Bahamians qualify to go to World Championships.

Clearly excited to be running in Freeport, Gibson was asked what it's like to compete in Nationals in his home town. Remembering the last time he was home to run, he was excited about the support he received from familiar faces. It motivated him to work that much harder to put on a show for the home crowd.

Winning his event in the 400 meters did just that, sending the Freeport crowd happy and proud of their home town favorite.