A huge personal best for Hillsdale College sophomore track and field athlete Ben Haas has the decorated thrower in the spotlight once again.
After taking second in the elite division of the weight throw at this weekend's Jud Logan "Light Giver" Invitational, Haas found out on Monday that he earned G-MAC Field Athlete of the Week honors for the second time this season.
Haas was stellar in the weight throw at Ashland, breaking through his own personal best in the event with a throw of 21.43 meters. He was the top collegiate finisher in the event and just .01 meters behind the winner, a sponsored professional athlete who entered as an unattached competitor.
That throw also resets Haas' NCAA DII Provisional qualifying mark in the event, giving him the third best throw at the NCAA DII level this season. It's also just .12 meters behind Hillsdale's school record in the event, set by Hillsdale College Hall of Famer Jason Stomps in his national-title winning performance in 2010.
Haas has a long history of success in a short time in college, having earned third place in the nation at the weight throw and All-American honors at the 2023 NCAA DII Indoor Championships in Virginia Beach last March. Based on his performance so far this season, Haas looks like a serious contender for a national title of his own, and to make a run at Stomps' impressive school record in the event.
The sophomore will compete next in the GVSU Big Meet this weekend, looking to add to his marks against what should be a loaded field of regional and national competition.