Franson Last Chance
Caudillo Shatters Cal Poly, Big West Record in 1,500 at Franson Last Chance
5/9/2026 11:05:00 PM | Track and Field
AZUSA, Calif. — Junior Chris Caudillo shattered a 48-year-old Big West record in the men’s 1,500-meter to highlight a strong showing by the Cal Poly track and field team during its final regular season meet on Friday and Saturday.
A total of 18 Mustang distance runners competed in the two-day Franson Last Chance hosted by Azusa Pacific, eyeing one last opportunity to lay down an impressive performance ahead of the Big West Championships this coming week in Long Beach. Cal Poly didn’t disappoint and saved the best for last, recording seven personal bests in the men’s 1,500 on Saturday night.
The 1,500 PR barrage was led by Caudillo, who made his first appearance in a Cal Poly uniform this outdoor season after competing unattached in a pair of meets earlier this spring. Running in the top section of the 1,500 that was set up to challenge the collegiate record, Caudillo crossed the finish line in a blistering time of 3:35.13, breaking Davis Bove’s 2024 school record (3:35.35) and surpassing the legendary Steve Scott’s 1978 Big West record in the event (3:36.0). The time is the third fastest ran in the West Region this season and No. 8 in Division I.
Caudillo’s performance allowed him to place third at the meet, and teammate Carson Smith was right on heels. The senior captured fifth with a lifetime best of 3:36.11, the third fastest time in school history. The time also ranks No. 6 in the West Region this year and No. 13 in Division I.
True freshman Tyler Daillak (3:44.90), Rory Catsimanes (3:49.28), Ethan Miller (3:50.80), Devin Ibarra (3:51.15) and Micah Sanchez (3:53.18) all posted personal bests in the 1,500 as well. Running his first ever 3,000 steeplechase, sophomore Ibzan Felix finished in 9:21.20 to cap off a slew of strong performances by Mustangs on Saturday.
During the opening night of action on Friday, Aidan McCarthy ran away with the victory in the men’s 800-meter, crossing the finish line in 1:47.90 and nearly a full second in front of the runner that placed second in his heat. The three-time All-American in the 800 currently owns the 34th-fastest time ran in the West Region this season and the 38th best in the 1,500.
Running just her second 800 ever, junior Jordan Jackson posted a time of 2:08.91 to finish 15th overall on the women’s side at the meet. The indoor 400 school record holder was just .39 seconds off her personal best in the event.
True freshman Miles Cook was also just .01 seconds off his all-around lifetime best in the men’s 800, recording an outdoor personal best of 1:50.19.
Sophomore Eddie Sion (14:24.45) and true freshman J.R. Lesher (14:38.47) were the only Mustangs that ran the 5,000 on Friday.
With the regular season officially over, the Mustangs will now gear up to travel to Long Beach State to compete in the Big West Championships this coming Friday and Saturday at Jack Rose Track. Last year, the Cal Poly men defended their Big West crown to secure their second Big West Championship in program history while the women finished 1.5 points short of earning their second straight conference title.
Franson Last Chance Results
WOMEN
800-meter: 15, Jordan Jackson, 2:08.91. 23, Ella Echsner, 2:10.29.
1,500-meter: 24, Melisse Djomby Enyawe, 4:35.10.
MEN
800-meter: 1, Aidan McCarthy, 1:47.90. 22, Miles Cook, 1:50.19. 27, Jeffrey Overgaard, 1:50.96. 31, Taj Clark, 1:51.56.
1,500-meter: 3, Chris Caudillo, 3:35.13. 5, Carson Smith, 3:36.11. 18, Tyler Daillak, 3:44.90. 34, Mateo Malko-Allen, 3:48.92. 36, Rory Catsimanes, 3:49.28. 44, Ethan Miller, 3:50.80. 46, Devin Ibarra, 3:51.15. 54, Micah Sanchez, 3:53.18.
5,000-meter: 14, Eddie Sion, 14:24.45. 27, J.R. Lesher, 14:38.47.
3,000-meter steeplechase: 19, Ibzan Felix, 9:21.20.
