Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eagles of the Week Presented by EMUCU
10/29/2018 10:15:00 AM | Women's XC, Football, General
Each week two Eagles will be honored for their success on the field
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Each week, the Eastern Michigan University Department of Athletics names the EMUCU's Athletes of the Week, as selected by the athletic media relations department based on their athletic performances from the previous week. This week's winners are women's cross country athlete, Natalie Cizmas, and football athlete, Blake Banham.
Natalie Cizmas
Sport: Women's cross country
Position: n/a
Year: Redshirt senior
Major: Excercise science
Week's Achievements: Redshirt senior Natalie Cizmas (Clinton Twp., Mich.-Chippewa Valley) led EMU to its fourth consecutive Mid-American Conference Cross Country Championship Saturday, Oct. 27 in Toledo, Ohio. The Clinton Twp., Mich. native captured the individual crown with a final time of 20:34.89, warranting First Team All-MAC honors for the second time in her career. Additionally, she has earned All-MAC honors in the last three seasons, while acting as the fourth Eagle in five years to lay claim to the individual title.
Blake Banham
Sport: Football
Position: Wide receiver
Year: Senior
Major: Criminology and criminal justice
Week's Achievements: Senior Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.-Cretin-Derham Hall) notched his first career two-touchdown performance in Eastern Michigan's 37-22 loss to Army West Point Saturday, Oct. 27. The wide receiver hauled in a 58-yard pass from quarterback Tyler Wiegers for his first of the day, and was able to scamper in on a run play for his second from one yard out. It was the first time since Nov. 27, 2015 against Central Michigan that the Eagles had a player with a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game.
The 104 receiving yards marked the third time this season that Banham has eclipsed the century mark in a game. The senior hauled in seven receptions, his third-best total of the season, and his one-yard rush gave him 105 all-purpose yards.
Overall, Banham ranks fifth in the MAC in receptions per game with a 4.8 average.
Natalie CizmasSport: Women's cross country
Position: n/a
Year: Redshirt senior
Major: Excercise science
Week's Achievements: Redshirt senior Natalie Cizmas (Clinton Twp., Mich.-Chippewa Valley) led EMU to its fourth consecutive Mid-American Conference Cross Country Championship Saturday, Oct. 27 in Toledo, Ohio. The Clinton Twp., Mich. native captured the individual crown with a final time of 20:34.89, warranting First Team All-MAC honors for the second time in her career. Additionally, she has earned All-MAC honors in the last three seasons, while acting as the fourth Eagle in five years to lay claim to the individual title.
Blake BanhamSport: Football
Position: Wide receiver
Year: Senior
Major: Criminology and criminal justice
Week's Achievements: Senior Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.-Cretin-Derham Hall) notched his first career two-touchdown performance in Eastern Michigan's 37-22 loss to Army West Point Saturday, Oct. 27. The wide receiver hauled in a 58-yard pass from quarterback Tyler Wiegers for his first of the day, and was able to scamper in on a run play for his second from one yard out. It was the first time since Nov. 27, 2015 against Central Michigan that the Eagles had a player with a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game.
The 104 receiving yards marked the third time this season that Banham has eclipsed the century mark in a game. The senior hauled in seven receptions, his third-best total of the season, and his one-yard rush gave him 105 all-purpose yards.
Overall, Banham ranks fifth in the MAC in receptions per game with a 4.8 average.
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