Texas A&M athlete dies in crash while returning home for winter break, university says

A Texas A&M freshman who was a member of the university’s track & field and cross country teams was killed in a car crash as he returned home for winter break, the university said.

Chance Gibson had recently finished his first semester in College Station, competing in two events during the fall cross country season. Details of the crash were not available, but the university said it happened around 11:20 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18.

“Words cannot express the loss of Chance,” track & field head coach Pat Henry said. “Chance was a great young person with a bright future. He will be missed by everyone that came in contact with him. It is a sad day for Texas A&M, and our hearts are broken for his family and friends.”

Gibson was part of a legacy at Texas A&M. His father, Spencer Gibson, graduated from the university in 2001 and three of his uncles also attended the school.

He graduated from The Woodlands High School, which is about 35 miles north of Houston. Gibson competed in the 1600 meter and 3200 meter runs for his high school’s track & field team, while also being a member of his school’s cross country team that finished second at the state championships when he was a junior.

“Our hearts are broken. Chance was a bright, funny and determined young man,” Texas A&M cross country coach Wendel McRaven said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gibson family. As a coach and a parent this is really tough. It is going to take us all a while to wrap our heads around this tragedy.”

This story was originally published December 20, 2021 at 7:27 AM.