Northwestern State University of Louisana

An NAIA All-American in cross country in 1975 and an NCAA Division II All-American in 1976 under Coach Jerry Dyes, Gatson set school records in the 800, 1500, and as a part of the sprint medley team … his marks in the 800 (1:49.24, 1976) and the sprint medley (3:17.07, 1976) still stood at the time of his induction into the Hall of Fame ...  NAIA District 30 champion as a senior in the 800 and 1500 … fourth in the NAIA nationals in the 1500 … co-champion in the NAIA District 30 cross country competition as a senior … seventh in the national championship meet … earned team’s High Point Award and Scholastic Award as a senior … as a junior, he set the Gulf South Conference record while winning the mile run … helped Demons win the GSC 1974 cross country team title.