Brauer, Kanan Picked as Men's National Athletes of the Year

USTFCCCA Press Release

Fresh off of their championship performances at the 2016 NJCAA Division III Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship, Harper College men's track and field sophomores Adam Brauer (Palatine, lll./Palatine) and Laith Kanan (/Palatine) received more recognition from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Brauer was named the Men's National Track Athlete of the Year, and Kanan earned the distinction of Men's National Field Athlete of the Year.

The awards were determined by voting from USTFCCCA member coaches based on athletes' performances at the national meet and throughout the duration of the spring 2016 season.

Brauer, who was named the Central Region Men's Track Athlete of the Year just six days prior, won the national award on the strength of his national titles at both 5000 meters (5k) and 10,000 meters (10k) at nationals. He won the 10k title by over a minute in 34:33.03 and took the 5k title by nearly five seconds in 16:44.43. While Brauer did not compete in the event at nationals, he was ranked No. 2 in the steeplechase (10:34.02).

Kanan, who was voted the Central Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year nearly a week prior, took national titles in both the hammer throw and shot put at the NJCAA DIII Championships. He easily won the hammer with a toss of 49.20m (161'5") and took top honors in the shot put at 14.31m (46'11 ½"). After the regular season, Kanan was ranked No. 1 in NJCAA DIII in the hammer and No. 3 in both the shot put and discus. He led the hammer by 18 feet (49.57m, 162'7") and had personal-bests of 13.83m (45'4 ½") and 38.70m (127') in the shot put and discus, respectively.

"Both Adam and Laith demonstrate what commitment and dedication to their events looks like, and it showed in being recognized with these prestigious awards," said Harper head track and field coach Renee Zellner.