At the KC Metro Mile Championships on Thursday, the Rockhurst boys made history again -- this time on their home track.
While several others were pacing to 1600 and 1 Mile personal bests, Rockhurst was gearing up for a showdown with the Bentonville High School (AR) distance stars, plus a few others, in the 800m Showcase race. One final tune-up before a National Record attempt at New Balance Nationals Outdoor next Friday proved to be very telling for the Kansas City juggernauts.
Thursday night, the quartet of Henry Acorn, William Hayes, Andrew Davis, and Jacob Bond showed the potential they have for next weekend's National meet. Acorn would hold off the former Missourian Brian Burns for the win in 1:49.35, tying Brandon Miller's State record in the 800 meter run to the decimal. Burns' 1:49.67 was an Arkansas State record and made him the first from The Natural State to break the 1:50 barrier.
Next across the line was Bentonville's Carter Beasley, who went under his old State record as well in 1:50.41. Next for Rockhurst was Hayes. The Class 5 State champion, who is heading to the University of Notre Dame this fall to focus on his academics (at least, that is what he said back in March), ran yet another personal best of 1:51.06.
Kirkwood's Graham Stevener, riding high off his MO No. 2 all-time 4:01.80 1600/4:03.32 1 Mile at the Festival of Miles, posted a personal best in the 800 at 1:51.22. Hayes and Stevener are now No. 7 and No. 8 all-time on the State's 800 list.
Rockhurst's third and fourth finishers were Andrew Davis and Jacob Bond, with Davis finally beating last year's personal best time in 1:52.27 and Bond coming across right beside him in 1:52.28. Bond has been an absolute revelation for the Hawklets, dropping a whopping 11 seconds year-over-year at this point.
Next Friday night at 7:52pm, Rockhurst will travel back to the track and field facility where they won the prestigious Penn Relays back in April in their State record time of 7:33.83 to go after the long-standing National record of 7:28.75 held by Long Beach Poly High School (CA) from the 2011 New Balance National Outdoor Championships. Only two squads have ever broken the 7:30 barrier, but if Thursday's result is any indication, Rockhurst should become Number 3.
And, do the math - they could become the first ever team to break 7:25.