Senior Ben Haas won the men’s weight throw at the NCAA Division II National Meet on March 14, becoming Hillsdale’s second-ever indoor track and field national champion. 

Haas won with his first throw of 22.89 meters, or 75 feet 1.25 inches. He now holds the Hillsdale record and Great Midwest Athletic Conference record for the event, yet Haas didn’t even think he would throw in college until his senior year of high school when his plans changed. 

“I decided during my senior football season that I wanted to do track in college and not football,” Haas said. “Football was really hurting me a lot physically, and I didn’t think I could do it for another four years at a high level. Even though I was getting recruited by a lot of schools for football, I decided that it would be best to switch to track for my body and my brain.” 

According to Haas, his parents started pushing him to participate in sports in middle school, and when he joined the track team he decided to learn to throw. Most of his time in track was spent throwing discus and shot put, but he was able to participate in a track club which allowed him to compete in the weight throw during indoor track season. Haas credits his parents with where he is today in his athletic career. 

“My parents were my biggest supporters throughout high school,” Haas said. “I had a bunch of different coaches, some coaches very helpful, some not. My parents were my biggest fans because they drove me to a lot of meets in high school and were just there supporting me through everything, even if my coaches couldn’t make it to a meet. Having their support early on is honestly the reason I’m able to do what I do right now in college.” 

The transition from high school to college athletics, according to Haas, was shocking at first but the changes have helped him progress in ways he didn’t know were possible. After breaking his foot early on in his freshman year, Haas decided to redshirt that season and is now in his third year of eligibility. He said he will stay to throw another year for the Chargers.

“I broke my foot twice, actually, it healed and then I broke it again,” Haas said. “Considering my life paths, I want to go to physician’s assistant school after I graduate college, and Hillsdale is a rigorous school, so when I decided to take a fifth year, it also helped me spread out my classes to try to keep my GPA higher so I can have a better chance to graduate with a good GPA and apply to grad schools. Also, I love throwing at a high level, so since I can stay here and get a good education and compete in my fifth year, I want to take that opportunity.” 

Last season, Haas broke the school record in weight throw for the first time. During the 2025 indoor season, Haas continued to improve and the school record continued to climb.

“I broke the weight record for the first time last year, and I think I broke it two or three times last year,” Haas said.  “And then this year, every PR I had in weight was a new school record. I was happy with how I did the season, how I progressed, and how far I threw. There’s still more room to throw farther, so that’s what I’m excited for next year as well.” 

According to associate head coach Jess Bridenthal, Haas is not only a great athlete, but also a great person. 

“Anyone that has had the opportunity to spend time with Ben knows that he is an absolutely incredible person,” Bridenthal said. “He has always been a talented athlete, extremely hard working, and a great friend.  He has become an incredible leader and mentor of the team, and he is always one to step in and help the younger athletes which really elevates everyone around him. He is my first national champion as a coach, but with the impact he has on those around him and the example he sets, I doubt he will be the last.” 

Senior Cass Dobrowolski has been Haas’s teammate and friend for the past four years, and according to Dobrowolski, Haas’ determination and competitive nature sets him apart. 

“Ben is one of the toughest and most resilient people I know,” Dobrowolski said. “He has been a gifted athlete from the start and has worked his way to the top, but not without struggles. He broke his foot and had to get surgery freshman year after ranking 30th in the nation in the weight throw. He waited and worked for so long to get back to throwing, just to eventually break his foot in the same exact way over the following summer. Ben’s mind is filled with goals that he doesn’t just want to complete, but needs to complete, and you can see how he works toward those goals each and every day.”

Haas has already started competing in the 2025 outdoor season, and according to Bridenthal, has lofty goals for outdoor and then his final indoor and outdoor seasons next year. 

“I hope Ben continues to go after big goals, like the ever-sought-after double national championship in the weight and the hammer, and continues to develop as a competitor while having a lot of fun,” Bridenthal said.