PALATINE, Ill. – Back in the fall of 2012, Lori Delfin (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling) was just beginning her college journey at Harper College. A former runner at Wheeling High School, Delfin hadn't given much thought to running at Harper.

Fellow Wheeling grad Nick Modlin, who joined the cross country team beginning that fall, encouraged Delfin to come out for the team, and she said she'd think about it. Delfin did not run in 2012, but Modlin asked her again the following year. She decided she'd give the sport another try.

Delfin hasn't regretted that decision one bit. After a successful first year of cross country and track and field, she is back with a vengeance in 2014 as the Hawks' top runner.  Delfin can now lay claim to the honor of being called the first Harper College Athlete of the Week for the 2014-15 school year.

Delfin's ascension to being the Hawks' No. 1 runner didn't happen overnight. With hard work, increased mileage over the summer and the advice of coaches Jim Macnider and Eric Wallor, she is just starting to shine. She took second place overall at the 1^st Annual Hawks/Chiefs Invitational two weeks ago and took 23^rd place at the Aurora University Spartan Classic against tough competition from four-year schools.

Even though her results in meets have been great, Delfin takes joy in just being a part of the Harper cross country program.

"We are all really close, and we will keep in touch even after Harper," she said.

Despite joining the cross country team a little late in 2013, Delfin still managed to place 49^th at the 2013 DIII Cross Country National Championships for a Hawks team that took sixth place. She has much loftier goals this year.

"I think we'll be in the top-5, maybe even the top-3 if we work together," she said.

Delfin is looking forward to the challenge of running against even tougher competition the rest of the year. In the spring, she will take to the track for the Hawks before graduating. Delfin is studying nursing at Harper and plans to transfer next year.

It took a leap of faith for her to get involved in running again, but Delfin doesn't regret the decision one bit and would encourage others to consider competing in a sport at Harper College.

"You're representing Harper, make a lot of new friends and you meet people that like something you like. Academically, it's an amazing school."