Esper entered the evening with two goals in mind: 1) claim the 800m race win and 2) break two minutes in the process. The Solon junior accomplished the former, but came just short of the latter as he posted a 1st place time of 2:01.19. Esper, who has gone under 2:00 once previously in the 800m distance (indoor), appears poised to be a major player in this event in the NEOITC series throughout the season.