Despite a heavy rainfall, Elson set a school record with his time of 1:51.04, knocking 17 one-hundredths of a second off the record he set in 2001. Freshman Nick Symmonds of Willamette, who little more than an hour earlier won the 1,500 meters, completed an impressive double by outkicking two-time defending champion Matt Groose of Wis.-Oshkosh to win in 1:49.51.

“Will ran an impeccable and strategically wise race both in the preliminaries and the finals,” said Head Coach Brad Hackett. “He did not run a smart race in [failing to qualify in] the 1,500, but he redeemed himself extraordinarily well.”

Elson was an All-American in two events at the NCAA Indoor Championships, placing second in the 1,500 and fifth on the distance-medley relay team.