Eagles of the Week Presented by EMUCU

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 senior cross country student-athletes Natalie Cizmas and Andy Payne.

Payne finished in fourth place at the 2019 MAC Cross Country Championships with a time of 25:35.2 Saturday, Nov. 2 in DeKalb, Ill. Payne's placement was the highest of any sophomore in the field as the Eagles captured their MAC-record 23rd conference title and 13th in the last 15 seasons. For his efforts, the Worthington, Ohio native garnered All-MAC First Team honors for the first time in his career. Payne's result was crucial in helping EMU edge second-place Miami University by five points, as the Green and White became the first program in MAC history to win the conference title after finishing in seventh place at the previous year's meet. Payne was also recognized by the MAC following the 2018 Cross Country Championships, as he became the second consecutive Eagle to collect MAC Freshman of the Year accolades.

Cizmas crossed the finish line in second place at the 2019 MAC Cross Country Championships with a time of 21:28.0 Saturday, Nov. 2 in DeKalb, Ill. The Clinton Twp., Mich. native's placement was crucial in helping the Eagles defeat the hosts, Northern Illinois University, by two points to clinch their MAC-record fifth consecutive conference title. Cizmas has excelled at the MAC Cross Country Championships since arriving at EMU, as she earned her third career top-5 finish in this event, and placed in the top-10 for the fourth successive campaign. For her efforts, Cizmas was named to the All-MAC First Team for the second straight season and third time in her career, while gaining All-MAC honors for the fourth consecutive year. Cizmas has competed at the NCAA Championships each of the last three seasons, and looks to qualify for this year's national meet at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Friday, Nov. 15 in Madison, Wis.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

Natalie Cizmas

Andy Payne

Related Videos