Eastern Michigan Athletics
Track & Field Looks to Build on Akron Performance
1/21/2021 9:28:00 AM | Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
The Eagles head to Grand Valley State University, Jan. 23
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University track and field teams had a strong showing at the Akron Quad Meet on Saturday, Jan. 15. Eleven total events were won by EMU as the women's team captured first place while the men's team finished second. Now, the Green and White will look to build upon its success at the Mike Lints Alumni Open hosted by Grand Valley State University. The meet will take place in Allendale, Mich. inside the Kelly Family Sports Center with events starting at 1 p.m.
"We are excited to head to Grand Valley and try to improve on our performances from last weekend," said Director/Head Coach Sue Parks. "Akron was a typical first meet with some outstanding marks but also some areas that need work. We just want to get better every week and work towards putting ourselves in a great position for the MAC five weeks from now."
Last weekend, senior Newlyn Stephenson (Gary, Ind.-Thea Bowman Leadership Academy) registered a school record in the weight throw with an incredible heave of 22.28m. The Indiana product's feat dethroned former Eagle Anthony Jones, who previously set the record in 2016 with a 21.84m toss. Prior to his performance at the Akron Quad Meet, Stephenson's highest mark in the weight throw was 19.16m at the Wolverine Invitational, Jan. 12, 2019, which set a meet record.
According to the Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS), Stephenson's performance in the weight throw is the third-highest mark of any Division 1 thrower this season behind Illinois' Manning Plater (22.40m), and North Dakota State's Alex Talley (22.90m), respectively.
Sophomore Kappa Bedoui (Doha, Qatar-Doha Academy) is currently tied for 19th nationally in the weight throw after he recorded a heave of 19.93m at the Akron Quad Meet, Jan. 15. The Qatar native's career-best came at the GVSU Big Meet Invite, Feb. 14, 2020, where he reached a distance of 21.05m.
Freshman Kaleb Simpson (Bexley, Ohio-St. Charles Preparatory) had an impressive showing over the weekend as he recorded a 6.76-scecond clip in the 60m dash for second place. That mark is tied-19th for the fastest 60m dash in Division 1 thus far in the indoor season and is second-best in the Mid-American Conference behind Akron's Amir Willis (6.73).
Senior Kadian Clarke (Kingston, Jamaica-Immaculate Conception) won the weight throw title at the Akron Quad Meet, Jan. 15, with an 18.33m toss, the third-highest mark in school history. The distance is good for 28th in all of Division 1 this season and is the second-furthest throw in the MAC to Central Michigan's Quiara Wheeler (20.74m).
The Jamaica product now holds the top three spots in in EMU's weight throw category (19.37m, 19.28m, and 18.33m).
Sophomore Alyson Davis (Summerfield, N.C.-Weaver Academy for Performing and Visual Arts) ran the 60m dash in an outstanding 7.53 seconds. The North Carolina native's time is tied for 29th with four other student-athletes and holds the fastest time in the conference so far this season.
Furthermore, there will be some schedule changes for the Eagles. In addition to the Sid Sink Invitational Friday, Jan. 29, EMU will also send multi-event Eagles to the Jet's Pizza Invitational Hosted by Saginaw Valley State University. The meet at SVSU is a two-day event, starting Friday, Jan. 29 to Saturday, Jan. 30.
Moreover, the Notre Dame Invitational, originally scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6, hsa been canceled. Instead, the Green and White will return to Allendale, Mich. for the GVSU Open Saturday, Feb. 6.
For updates on all things Eastern Michigan cross country and track and field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, @EMUXC_TF, and Twitter, @EMUXC_TF.
"We are excited to head to Grand Valley and try to improve on our performances from last weekend," said Director/Head Coach Sue Parks. "Akron was a typical first meet with some outstanding marks but also some areas that need work. We just want to get better every week and work towards putting ourselves in a great position for the MAC five weeks from now."
Last weekend, senior Newlyn Stephenson (Gary, Ind.-Thea Bowman Leadership Academy) registered a school record in the weight throw with an incredible heave of 22.28m. The Indiana product's feat dethroned former Eagle Anthony Jones, who previously set the record in 2016 with a 21.84m toss. Prior to his performance at the Akron Quad Meet, Stephenson's highest mark in the weight throw was 19.16m at the Wolverine Invitational, Jan. 12, 2019, which set a meet record.
According to the Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS), Stephenson's performance in the weight throw is the third-highest mark of any Division 1 thrower this season behind Illinois' Manning Plater (22.40m), and North Dakota State's Alex Talley (22.90m), respectively.
Sophomore Kappa Bedoui (Doha, Qatar-Doha Academy) is currently tied for 19th nationally in the weight throw after he recorded a heave of 19.93m at the Akron Quad Meet, Jan. 15. The Qatar native's career-best came at the GVSU Big Meet Invite, Feb. 14, 2020, where he reached a distance of 21.05m.
Freshman Kaleb Simpson (Bexley, Ohio-St. Charles Preparatory) had an impressive showing over the weekend as he recorded a 6.76-scecond clip in the 60m dash for second place. That mark is tied-19th for the fastest 60m dash in Division 1 thus far in the indoor season and is second-best in the Mid-American Conference behind Akron's Amir Willis (6.73).
Senior Kadian Clarke (Kingston, Jamaica-Immaculate Conception) won the weight throw title at the Akron Quad Meet, Jan. 15, with an 18.33m toss, the third-highest mark in school history. The distance is good for 28th in all of Division 1 this season and is the second-furthest throw in the MAC to Central Michigan's Quiara Wheeler (20.74m).
The Jamaica product now holds the top three spots in in EMU's weight throw category (19.37m, 19.28m, and 18.33m).
Sophomore Alyson Davis (Summerfield, N.C.-Weaver Academy for Performing and Visual Arts) ran the 60m dash in an outstanding 7.53 seconds. The North Carolina native's time is tied for 29th with four other student-athletes and holds the fastest time in the conference so far this season.
Furthermore, there will be some schedule changes for the Eagles. In addition to the Sid Sink Invitational Friday, Jan. 29, EMU will also send multi-event Eagles to the Jet's Pizza Invitational Hosted by Saginaw Valley State University. The meet at SVSU is a two-day event, starting Friday, Jan. 29 to Saturday, Jan. 30.
Moreover, the Notre Dame Invitational, originally scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6, hsa been canceled. Instead, the Green and White will return to Allendale, Mich. for the GVSU Open Saturday, Feb. 6.
For updates on all things Eastern Michigan cross country and track and field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, @EMUXC_TF, and Twitter, @EMUXC_TF.
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Men's Track & Field
Throws
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track & Field
Throws
/ Men's Track & FieldNew Outdoor Track & Field Facility Ribbon Cutting
Tuesday, September 23
Track & Field at 2025 Spartan Invitational
Tuesday, April 08
2025 MAC Indoor Track & Field Championships Cinematic Recap
Wednesday, March 05
2025 MAC Indoor Track & Field Championships Day 1 Highlights
Saturday, March 01