CHARLESTON – Only one authority seemingly possessed the power to separate seniors Peter Archibald and Jake Mazanke in the 800 meters.

The IHSA obliged earlier this week, scrambling Friday’s three preliminary heats at the Class 3A boys track and field state meet.

Archibald, of Geneva, and Mazanke, of St. Charles East, staged memorable duels at the county, conference and sectional meets before descending on Eastern Illinois’ O’Brien Stadium. Coaches called their meeting a potential five-round prizefight, though the pay-per-view ultimately blacked out on Round 4.