Anyone who witnessed last year's Division I boys' race at the Spartan Invitational more than likely had a course-side seat for the 2013 edition on Saturday.
And after watching hometown star Mark Hadley of Boardman and Nick Elswick of Chardon battle it out once again over 5,000 meters, those same people probably are staking out their spots for October 26 when the OHSAA regional meet is run over the double-loop course.
The duo showed why they are among the best in the nation as they obliterated the course and meet records, registering at the time the fastest performances in the nation for the 2013 season.
"For myself, maybe not, but I was expecting him to go that fast today, and I knew if I was going to beat him, I had to do that," Hadley said when asked if he expected to reach the finish in 15 minutes, 7.8 seconds, with Elswick only nine-tenths of a second behind.
Thus far in 2013, those two efforts stand out nationally. Place those against the Boardman record books, and the times by the two seniors are simply historic. Entering Saturday's meet, Elswick was fourth and fifth on the all-time invitational and course top 10s, respectively, while Hadley was 10th on the invitational list on the strength of their finishes at the 2012 Spartan Invitational.
Now, they are 1-2 on both, erasing former Foot Locker runner-up Sharif Karie's 15:31.6 from 1995 and Josh Ritchie's 15:30 in 1992 from the top of the charts. Ritchie, a cross-country All-American at Ohio University and Walsh Jesuit, finished fifth at the then Kinney national event in 1992.
The top 10s also included two other Foot Locker finalists in Chardon's Emil Heineking (2006) and Corry Area (PA)'s Austin Pondel in 2012. Select company indeed.
"I knew we were going to be fast, but I never knew we were going to be that fast," said Elswick, who finished two spots ahead of Pondel at last year's Foot Locker final in San Diego. "That was definitely quite an experience. I ran 15:12 last week at Tiffin, and to be able to do it on this course of all places, even faster than that for both of us, that speaks a lot."
Except for a quick sidestep to avoid a slower runner shortly after the gun sounded, Hadley and Elswick had little difficulty in getting to the head of the pack, towing the field through an opening mile under 4:50. The eventual winner had some daylight as the duo set out on their second loop and reached the two-mile mark in 9:51 with Hadley still in front.
Elswick then moved into the lead and was about 10 meters ahead as he hit the 4K mark in just over 12 minutes. Hadley then believed he was looking at another runner-up finish in his invite.
"He made a huge move at the two mile, and I thought he was going to break me," Hadley said. "I tried to hang on the best I could."
Elswick, who defeated his rival by 0.34 seconds at last year's regional, knew he had to move early to get in position for another win in Boardman.
"I definitely knew he had the home court advantage," Elswick said. "I also knew that's where I had to kind of break him before the end of therace. He did a great job coming back at me and hammering that last 400."
The two were side by side for nearly the entire finishing straightaway, with Hadley finally able to hoist his arms in victory strides from the line.
Hadley and Elswick will take next weekend off for an official visit to Ohio State. For the Chardon star, it will be his only official visit as he already verbally committed to join the Buckeyes next year.