Eastern Michigan Athletics

Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
Track & Field Opens Indoor Season at GVSU Holiday Open
12/1/2021 9:22:00 AM | Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
The Eagles look to start strong at their first meet at Grand Valley State University, Dec. 3
MEET SCHEDULE
ALLENDALE, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University track & field program is set to kick-off its indoor season at the GVSU Holiday Open, Dec. 3, hosted by Grand Valley State University. Action inside the Kelly Family Sports Center is set to begin at 1 p.m.
EMU is no stranger to Allendale, Mich., having competed at GVSU three times last season. The Green and White will trek to Lakers' territory for a trio of meets this year as well.
The last time the Eagles were at GVSU, senior Kadian Clarke (Kingston, Jamaica-Immaculate Conception) achieved a weight throw of 19.82m to set a career-high and program record in the event, Feb. 12, 2021. Additionally, the Kingston, Jamaica native recorded a personal-best indoor shot put distance of 15.29m at the GVSU Mike Lints Open, Jan. 23, 2021. The 15.29m mark is the second-furthest throw in program history, falling short only to former Eagle Brittany Crew's 15.67m in 2013.
EMU opened last year's season with a bang at the Akron Quad Meet, Jan. 15. Freshman Kaleb Simpson (Bexley, Ohio-St. Charles Preparatory) recorded a 6.76 clip in the 60m dash, good for the tenth-best time in school history. Furthermore, senior Newlyn Stephenson (Gary, Ind.-Thea Bowman Leadership Academy) broke the school record in the weight throw with a toss of 22.82m.
The 2020-21 indoor season saw the men's program win the Mid-American Conference Championship, edging Akron 184-176. In Mount Pleasant, Mich., the Green and Yellow had 14 student-athletes earn All-MAC honors. Additionally, Director/Head Coach Sue Parks was named MAC Men's Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year, while first-year Assistant Coach Mark Rinker garnered MAC Men's Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year honors.
On the track, Simpson was dubbed MAC Men's Indoor Freshman Track Athlete of the Year, junior Chris Devaney (New Plymouth, New Zealand-New Plymouth) was tabbed as MAC Men's Indoor Most Outstanding Track Performer, and junior Baldvin Magnusson (Akureyri, Iceland-Hull University) earned the title of MAC Men's Indoor Track & Field Co-Most Valuable Performer.
Stephenson and graduate student Taige Bryant (Edmond, Okla.-Edmond Memorial) both qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in weight throw while Magnusson earned the trip to Fayetteville, Ark. in the 3000m race.
In weight throw, Bryant and Stephenson became Second Team All-Americans, finishing 11th (21.10m) and 16th (19.32), respectively. Meanwhile, Magnusson wrapped up his season with a seventh-place finish at the national indoor meet with a time of 7:53.72. The Iceland native's 7:53.72 performance made him a First Team All-American and set the Icelandic national record in the event.
For updates on all things Eastern Michigan cross country and track and field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram and Twitter, @EMUXC_TF, and Facebook, @EMUXCTF.
ALLENDALE, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University track & field program is set to kick-off its indoor season at the GVSU Holiday Open, Dec. 3, hosted by Grand Valley State University. Action inside the Kelly Family Sports Center is set to begin at 1 p.m.
EMU is no stranger to Allendale, Mich., having competed at GVSU three times last season. The Green and White will trek to Lakers' territory for a trio of meets this year as well.
The last time the Eagles were at GVSU, senior Kadian Clarke (Kingston, Jamaica-Immaculate Conception) achieved a weight throw of 19.82m to set a career-high and program record in the event, Feb. 12, 2021. Additionally, the Kingston, Jamaica native recorded a personal-best indoor shot put distance of 15.29m at the GVSU Mike Lints Open, Jan. 23, 2021. The 15.29m mark is the second-furthest throw in program history, falling short only to former Eagle Brittany Crew's 15.67m in 2013.
EMU opened last year's season with a bang at the Akron Quad Meet, Jan. 15. Freshman Kaleb Simpson (Bexley, Ohio-St. Charles Preparatory) recorded a 6.76 clip in the 60m dash, good for the tenth-best time in school history. Furthermore, senior Newlyn Stephenson (Gary, Ind.-Thea Bowman Leadership Academy) broke the school record in the weight throw with a toss of 22.82m.
The 2020-21 indoor season saw the men's program win the Mid-American Conference Championship, edging Akron 184-176. In Mount Pleasant, Mich., the Green and Yellow had 14 student-athletes earn All-MAC honors. Additionally, Director/Head Coach Sue Parks was named MAC Men's Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year, while first-year Assistant Coach Mark Rinker garnered MAC Men's Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year honors.
On the track, Simpson was dubbed MAC Men's Indoor Freshman Track Athlete of the Year, junior Chris Devaney (New Plymouth, New Zealand-New Plymouth) was tabbed as MAC Men's Indoor Most Outstanding Track Performer, and junior Baldvin Magnusson (Akureyri, Iceland-Hull University) earned the title of MAC Men's Indoor Track & Field Co-Most Valuable Performer.
Stephenson and graduate student Taige Bryant (Edmond, Okla.-Edmond Memorial) both qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in weight throw while Magnusson earned the trip to Fayetteville, Ark. in the 3000m race.
In weight throw, Bryant and Stephenson became Second Team All-Americans, finishing 11th (21.10m) and 16th (19.32), respectively. Meanwhile, Magnusson wrapped up his season with a seventh-place finish at the national indoor meet with a time of 7:53.72. The Iceland native's 7:53.72 performance made him a First Team All-American and set the Icelandic national record in the event.
For updates on all things Eastern Michigan cross country and track and field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram and Twitter, @EMUXC_TF, and Facebook, @EMUXCTF.
Players Mentioned
Thank You from EMU Cross Country/Track & Field!
Monday, December 01
Giving Tuesday 2025 - EMU Cross Country/Track & Field
Monday, December 01
Giving Tuesday 2025 - Eastern Michigan Track & Field
Monday, December 01
2025 E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony
Saturday, October 11









