May 31, 2012 - Claremont, Calif. -

Meg O'Keefe '14

Rafer Dannenhauer '13

For the first time in its 38-year history, the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships was contested on the West Coast, and two Mudders qualified to participate.

Rafer Dannenhauer '13 and Meg O’Keefe '14 were among the top 20 men and the top 22 women in their individual events to compete at the championships. Dannenhauer competed in the men’s 5000 meters and O’Keefe competed in the women’s 400 hurdles during the three-day event held May 24-26 at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps’ Burns Track & Field Complex.

While the two did not place among the top finishers at the meet, their efforts throughout the year have been exceptional. Dannenhauer is No. 2 on the CMS Men's Top 10 List with a time of 14:28.68 in the 5000 Meters. O'Keefe is No. 3 on the Women's Top 10 List with a 62.53 in the 400m Hurdles.

Athletes from 278 teams (142 women's; 136 men's) contended for titles in individual events and relays. McMurry's men and Wartburg's women earned the team championships at the Division III Track & Field Championships. The meet has only been held west of the Mississippi River three times previously, twice in Minnesota and once in Iowa, and Claremont is the furthest west it has been held by almost 1,500 miles.

The event brought together volunteers from throughout the Claremont community, including students, faculty and staff of The Claremont Colleges. It also served as a reunion for many CMS track and field alumni, including many Mudders: Brad Aagaard ‘94, John Akerboom ‘93, Dillon Ayers ‘11, Kelly Beck ‘90, Will Berriel ‘03, Victor Camacho ‘07, Matt Cummins ‘11, Georgi Dinolov ‘11, Les Fletcher ‘04, Tony Gnecco ‘89, Chris Hickie ‘87, Eric Johnson ‘92, Brian Kirkpatrick ‘07, Alex Kurtis ‘10, Matt Kurtis ‘10, Rachael Martin, Brian Maul ‘01, Mischelle Mische ‘91, Katie Mouzakis ‘07, Jason Rhodes ‘94, Lisa Saam ‘97, Kyle Stewart  ‘11, Dave Summers ‘94, Jason Umhoefer ‘99 and Kyle Zarzana ‘07.

For meet information, visit the CMS website.