KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State freshman Nabil Hamid was named the Atlantic Sun Conference men’s Runner of the Week, the A-Sun announced on Wednesday.

The award is the first for the Addis Ababa, Ethiopia native, who earned it with a second place finish at the inaugural KSU Owl Invitational at Noonday Park in Kennesaw on October 23. The 5k course, which was laid out by men’s head coach Stan Sims and his staff, was very muddy and soft due to heavy pre-race rain.

Hamid, who attended nearby Druid Hills High School, battled the tough conditions on his way to a time of 16:07.21. He was one of six Owls to finish in the top-ten, as the Black & Gold took advantage of their host course and finished first among four teams.

It is the third time this season that an Owl has taken home the men’s ROTW honor. Senior Scott Burley was recognized for his performance the weeks of September 30th and October 14th.

“We brought Nabil in to perform and make headlines, and he’s doing that,” Sims said in a statement on Wednesday. “It’s great to have him running as well as he is right now, this is the right time to be at his peak.”

Hamid and the Owls will all need to be at their peaks on Saturday, when they travel to DeLand, Fla., to compete in the Atlantic Sun Championship. The men finished third last year, and are hoping that they are in prime position to take home their first A-Sun title since joining the conference in 2005. The championship, which is hosted by Stetson, will take place at Sperling Sports Complex just off campus. The starting gun for the men is expected to fire at 9:45 a.m.