AZUSA, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 4x400 relay team of Jaden Rattay, Aiden Owens, Max Even and Colin Scanlon compiled the second-fastest time in program history with a 3:09.77 on Saturday at the Franson Last Chance Meet hosted by Azusa Pacific. 

The time took almost four seconds off the previous best (3:13.51) from this season moves CMS into almost certain NCAA qualification, as the Stags now rank third in the nation behind only Bethel and Wisconsin-Lacrosse.

The fastest time in program history was a 3:07.82 at the NCAA Division III Championships in 2023, run by Christian Campbell, Nick Teresi, Ellis DelVecchio and Jamie Cockburn. The quartet at the Franson Last Chance Meet was only the second 4x400 relay at CMS to come in under 3:10, with the previous second-best time a 3:12.34. 

DelVecchio also had a big performance at the Last Chance Meet, clocking a 1:49.71 to come in under 1:50 for the first time in his career and move up to 10th in Division III, well below the cutline (top 22) to qualify for nationals. Pierce Clark, who qualified for the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships in the winter, also moved above the cutline with a 1:50.47, which places him 18th. 

On Friday, the throwers saw some milestones fall, with Kaden Cassidy breaking the CMS record in the hammer throw and George Kruger breaking the 200-foot barrier in the javelin. Cassidy currently ranks fourth in the nation, while Kruger is 24th. 

CMS will have one more meet to try to earn qualifying marks for the NCAA Division III Championships, when they head to the Redlands Last Chance Meet this week. The NCAAs will be held May 22-25 in Geneva, Ohio.