Kloss Honored as Female Athlete of the Year

PALATINE, Ill. – Harper College women's track and field student-athlete Leah Kloss (Grayslake, Ill. /Grayslake Central) had an extremely impressive spring 2015 season for the Hawks as she was a national champ in three different events at the national meet. For her efforts, she has been named the 2015-16 Harper College Female Athlete of the Year.

Kloss (Harper singlet, in the lead) was honored as the 2015-16 Harper College Female Athlete of the Year. (Photo Courtesy of Digital Sports Photography, Herkimer, NY)

"Leah is an exceptional athlete. She has the ability to learn and excel in new skills quickly. She is highly competitive and works hard to improve her fitness and technique," said Harper head track and field coach Renee Zellner.

Kloss displayed her versatility throughout the spring of 2015, culminating in a very successful all-around performance at the 2015 NJCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championship. She won both the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash at nationals and was also a member of the Hawks' 4x100 meter relay team that won a national title and set a school record. At the conclusion of the spring season, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) recognized her as both the Central Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year and Central Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year.

She also placed fourth in the nation in the long jump, fifth in the hammer throw, and fifth in the javelin. Aided by a large number of points from Kloss in the various events, the Hawks secured a third place finish as a team at nationals.

Kloss was also recognized as a N4C Academic All-Conference student-athlete during the spring semester.

Showing her perseverance and versatility in the spring of 2016, she won the hammer throw, placed second in the javelin (All-American), and was a member of the 4x100m relay team that set a new school record at the 2016 NJCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championship. She also anchored the fourth place 4x400m relay team. She was also recognized as the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Central Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year for a second straight year.

"Not only is she talented, but she is humble and an excellent role model for both female and male athletes. Leah is an ideal student-athlete to achieve this prestigious honor," Zellner said.