CLAREMONT, Calif. - Kaden Cassidy threw 62.55 meters (205'2.5") on his sixth and final throw at the Franson Last Chance Meet, hosted by Azusa Pacific to set a new CMS record and move up to third in the nation in Division III so far this year (pending other weekend results). 

Cassidy broke 60 meters for the first time with his second throw of the day (60.83), which was just shy of 200 feet and moved him up to third all-time at CMS and seventh in Division III this season. With his final throw, though, he broke the 200-foot barrier, and surpassed CMS record holder and national champion Mike Susank, whose top throw of 204'10" (62.44 meters) had stood since 1994, while moving up four more spots to third in the nation to virtually assure himself of an invitation to the NCAA Championships in Geneva, Ohio later this month.

Susank and Taylor Berliant (204'1") had been the only hammer throwers to break 200 feet in CMS history. But Cassidy wasn't the only thrower to break a 200-foot barrier on the day, as George Kruger accomplished the same feat in the javelin, reaching 200'2.5". He had come close at the SCIAC Championships with a throw of 199'3" to capture his second straight league title, and he surpassed it on Friday, and will try to eclipse that mark at the Redlands Last Chance Meet this week to break into the top 22 to qualify for nationals. 

The throws were held at CMS, while Ellis DelVecchio also had a big effort in the 800 meters at Azusa, breaking 1:50 for the first time with a 1:49.71, which moves him up to third in CMS history and seventh in NCAA Division III. 

The second day of the Franson Last Chance Meet will take place tomorrow as more Stags will try to earn qualifying marks for nationals.