As the years go by, it becomes less and less surprising of the distance records that go down on the Boston University track.

Whether it's a world, national or collegiate record, BU has seen it all. And for all you haters out there, BU clarified recently that the track isn't short -- in fact, it's long! 

The 2023 edition of the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener was no different, as the NCAA record books were re-written by two of the greatest talents in NCAA history.

Parker Valby Becomes First Collegian Under 15:00

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Before Saturday, only three collegiate women had ever broken 15:10 during the NCAA season and none had ever broken the barrier on the indoor oval. In fact, current American record holder in the marathon and former Providence star Emily Sisson owned the previous record of 15:12.22 for eight years.

Following the gun, Florida superstar Parker Valby got boxed in early, but wasted no time working her way up toward the front by the 600m mark. As the race progressed, the two-time NCAA champion remained up front along with Andrea Rodenfels of the Boston Athletic Association. With roughly 1K to go, Valby put the pedal to the medal, ultimately pulling away by nine seconds and crossing the line in 14:56.11, shattering the NCAA record by 16 seconds.

Valby, who is still riding the same momentum that propelled her to a national title in Charlottesville just a few weeks ago, joins a very small list of collegian women to ever break 15:00 at any point. Iowa State's Lisa Koll who ran 14:55 in July of 2010. 

Graham Blanks Still Can't Lose

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To this day, no collegiate man has ever ran sub-13 in the 5,000m. Not during the NCAA season, and not even during international competition.

Two men have recently come close, as former NCAA record holder Lawi Lalang ran 13:00.95 in July of 2019 and Washington's Brian Fay clocked 13:01.40 this past summer. 

However, there's a new sheriff in town: He's about 6-foot tall, a fast draw and he's 'wicked smart.'

Graham Blanks has been taking up American distance running headlines since August, winning all five cross country races this fall, capped off by his first NCAA title. 

Most recently, Blanks took his talents a couple miles south to Boston University, where he had his sights set on the record books.

Blanks came through 3000m with a solid pack in 7:57, before pulling away over the last two laps to stop the clock at 13:03.78, a new NCAA record, lowering the previous best of 13:08.78 set by Lalang 11 years ago. 

With both the remainder of the indoor season and the entirety of the outdoor season to come, Blanks has as good a chance as any to be the first collegian under 13:00.