Ridge runner Tyler Gibbons, who earlier this month committed to attending Columbia University in New York placed sixth in the 3,200-meter event at last Saturday's state Meet of Champions in Toms River.

Gibbons said he expects to be running with the nationally ranked cross-country, track and field teams at Columbia next year. 

Gibbons said that more than 40 runners competed in the boys event. He said he had been seeded 24th, so had exceeded expectations. His finish time was 9:27.50, according to NJ.com.

Two weeks earlier, he said he had finished a mile at 4:24 in the state sectionals, also held in Tom River.

Gibbons, a Patch Athlete of the Week when he ran with boys track in the fall, said he hopes to wrap up his senior year running spring track at Ridge before graduating. Last October, Gibbons captured first-place finishes in both the Somerset County championship and then, a week later, at the Skylands Conference Championship.

Bernards High's Dana Giordano breaks Meet of Champions record

Also at Saturday's Meet of Champions, Bernards High senior Dana Giordano placed first in the 3,200-meter event, breaking a meet record in the process.

Bernards' Athletic Director Mike Hoppe confirmed the win and said details on the meet are posted on the school district's webpage. "Dana captured the gold medal by setting a meet record of 10:24.7! Her time puts her at NUMBER ONE in the NATION!  Congratulations to Dana and Coach [David] Szostak!!," according to information posted on the Bernards High School webpage.

Giordano's achievements also were chronicled at ESPN HS Track and XC online.