The coaches knew this team was special and told them so. The runners had their doubts, but when the spikes hit the mondo, their legs did all the talking.
Mike May, Matt McGarvey, Matt Bee, and Connor Manley made history at the 2011 PTFCA State Indoor Championships, and all they had to do was defeat the current state record holders to do it.
Abington had set the record at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational with a time of 7:45.93, while Central Bucks West came into the meet with a season PR of 7:59.46.
Game on.
When the gun went off Mike May was starting only his third 800 ever, against an array of talented lead-off men. No pressure.
"Before the race I was really nervous, but I just wanted to get McGarvey into position so he could take the race".
He did just that, handing off the baton in first place with a split of 1:57.2, a position they would never relinquish.
Matt McGarvey took that baton and found himself in unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory. No problem.
"I was actually hoping that Mike would hand it off to me in 2nd because I like running behind people".
Instead Matt found himself out in front of the race with nothing to do but chase down history.
Matt continued to lead, handing off with a split of 1:57.92 to give the team a comfortable margin over the field.
Matt Bee took the baton next and was psyched to keep the momentum going.
"When I saw McGarvey get the baton in first and he just held it, I was like, here's the deal, I just gotta keep the lead".
McGarvey did more than that, because in the back of his mind he knew that his teammate, Connor Manley, was going up against Abington's talented Kyle Moran on the anchor leg.
McGarvey extended CB West's hold on the lead with a split of 1:56.44, when he handed off to Manley.
Manley was 2 minutes from history, with the dreams of his teammates on his shoulders, and the best team in the state's history - to that point - hawking him from behind.
If he was worried he didn't show it as the look on his face was pure focus and determination.
Manley enjoys going out fast, and today was no exception. But he was also feeling good.
"I knew if he caught me (Kyle Moran) I would be able to match his kick. But that never happened."
No it didn't. But Moran ran furiously for three laps in an effort to bridge the gap and hope for a miracle.
In the end, Manley had enough left to kick it home with 150 meters to go, putting significant distance between himself and a gassed Moran.
By the time Manley approached the line his teammates knew they had the win, but still up in the air was whether he would stop the clock ahead of the state record.
McGarvey looked up at the clock as Manley crossed the line. "I was astonished, I thought it was awesome!"
Manley's split of 1:54.51 was good enough to stop the clock at 7:45.06.
The jaw-dropping time set the Meet Record, the All-Time State Record, and was the 7th fastest indoor 4x800 time in US high school history.
The meet record was an impressive 7:48.99, set by North Penn in 2008, and held up to a Central Bucks South squad in 2009 that later went on to run a mind-boggling 7:33.48 for the outdoor state record.
Some impressive company to be in lock-step with.
The time was also an All-Time PA State Record, bettering a mark that was merely a month old, the 7:45.93 set by Abington.
So what can this squad do once they hit the 400 meter oval?
Bee said, "I think quite honestly we can go under 7:40".
McGarvey added, "This year I would definitely like to do that (make the finals of the Penn Relays COA 4x8) and get a shot at placing there".
Then there is the question of arguably one of the best all-time performances in the state of PA, the 7:33.48 that CB South set at the 2009 PIAA Outdoor State Championships.
Again, Bee had something to say, with a quiet confidence that belies respect for historical performances and what it takes to achieve one.
"Anyone can have a banner day and just drop a big bomb. If everyone stays healthy, I don't see why not".
May added perhaps the most telling clue of all as to what this squad can achieve in the spring.
"These guys help me the whole way, throughout practice they help me".
Central Bucks South had a secret in 2009. They knew that no one would give up, that everyone on the team would leave every last ounce of energy out on the track.
Whether they know it or not, this quartet has the same secret ingredient and gives off the same vibe. They all believe that each member will run as hard as possible for the good of the team.
They are family on and off the track, having run together for the last three years.
And now they have the confidence to dream a little bigger about just how fast they can run together.
Game on.
