As the cross county season has progressed, a friendly rivalry has developed between Washington’s top two boy runners.

Demon senior Curtis Vest and sophomore Owen Horak have separated themselves as the best runners on the squad. Picking the best between the two is tougher to do.

In the Demons’ first five meets of the year, Vest and Horak have gone back and forth as Washington’s top individual runner. In their latest meet last week in Mount Pleasant, Horak finished with a team best time of 18:56. Vest would finish just four seconds behind him. Horak says having Vest on the team helps push him to be a better runner.

“Whenever he starts he is normally in front of me.” Horak said, “That puts a lot of pressure on me, but I also get to pressure him to keep up with me. It helps us both.”

Vest says Horak has pushed him because he doesn’t like losing to an underclassman.

“My parents actually push me a lot too. I mean they are almost upset when I get beat by Owen (Horak).” Vest says, “I am always pushing as hard as I can to beat Owen.”

Vest says the way he and Horak are currently running, the two could find themselves competing together in the state meet later this fall. The two will be back in competition this evening as the Demons host their annual cross country meet at the Washington Golf and Country Club. Varsity begins at 5 p.m.