PALATINE, Ill. – Harper College track and field athlete Laith Kanan (/Palatine) is continuing the 16-year winning tradition of throwers for coach Renee Zellner. While the Hawks have accomplished a lot in that department over the years, Kanan's accomplishment at last weekend's Benedictine Eagle Relays and Invitational was extremely impressive given the level of competition.

Kanan was the champion in the hammer throw, besting 38 other competitors, many from strong four-year programs. The sophomore is poised for big things as the 2016 NJCAA Division III National Championship approaches, and he is now being as the ninth Harper College Athlete of the Week for the 2015-16 school year.

Kanan's personal-best toss of 48.25m (158'4") placed him ahead of host Benedictine's Joe DeMaegd (156'10") and Gerald Valenzuela. Kanan also had a ninth place finish in the discus and PRed in the javelin.

He will now set his sights on preparing for the national meet in Westfield, Massachusetts. Kanan is no stranger to the big moment, as he was an All-American in the hammer at last year's  2015 NJCAA Division III Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championship with a runner-up finish in the event. He also took sixth place in the shot put just over a year ago.