Eastern Michigan Athletics
Bryant, Seifert Named MAC Medal of Excellence Recipients
5/11/2022 9:55:00 AM | Women's XC, Men's Track & Field, General
The conference honored 24 student-athletes for their academic and athletic accomplishments
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) - Eastern Michigan University student-athletes Taige Bryant (Edmond, Okla.-Edmond Memorial) of the men's track & field program and Lexi Seifert (Waterford, Pa.-Villa Maria Academy) of the women's cross country and track & field program were announced as the school's recipients of the 2022 Mid-American Conference Medal of Excellence Award, the league office announced today, May 11.
The Medal of Excellence is presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each of the 12 Conference member institutions.
"The individuals selected for the Medal of Excellence have distinguished themselves academically, athletically, and through demonstrated service and leadership," said MAC Commissioner, Jon A. Steinbrecher. "These men and women have earned this award by putting in long hours of dedication, perseverance and hard work. I congratulate those selected and thank them for their contributions to their institution and the Conference."
To be honored with the Medal of Excellence Award, student-athletes had to participate on the varsity level in a Conference sponsored sport and shown evidence of academic success with a minimum 3.50 accumulative grade-point average, exhibited athletics excellence, leadership and service. Selection of the recipients was made by each MAC institution.
Bryant wrapped up his collegiate career at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships where he competed in the men's weight throw competition. In the event, the graduate student finished sixth with a toss of 22.21m to earn First Team All- American status for the first time. The veteran thrower will leave EMU as the school's record-holder in the discus (58.27m) and hammer throw (67.43m), and second in the weight throw (23.01m).
Seifert started off the 2021 cross country season by registering a personal-best 5K time of 18:18.5 at the Mel Brodt Open for sixth place. She produced a career-best time of 22:00.8 in the 6K at the Mid-American Conference Cross Country Championships, and was named to the 2021 Academic All-MAC Team. At the 2021 MAC Outdoor Championships, Seifert finished seventh in the 1500m race with a time of 4:30.87.
2022 Medal of Excellence Winners
Akron: Tate Wargo (Baseball) and Ivana Shah (Women's Golf)
Ball State: Nathan Snyder (Football) and Karlie Zumbro (Women's Track and Field)
Bowling Green: Jensen Lukacsko (Men's Soccer) and Daisy Platts (Women's Swim and Dive)
Buffalo: Caleb Nickens (Men's Track and Field) and Pia Schwarz (Women's Tennis)
Central Michigan: Andrew Marten (Wrestling) and Hannah Potter (Women's Lacrosse)
Eastern Michigan: Taige Bryant (Men's Track and Field) and Lexi Seifert (Women's Cross Country, Track & Field)
Kent State: Colin McCracken (Wrestling) and Cameron Shedenhelm (Women's Soccer)
Miami: Charlie Harders (Men's Track and Field) and Lexi Nugent (Field Hockey)
Northern Illinois: Enrique Banuelos (Men's Soccer) and Katelyn Keller (Softball)
Ohio: Julian Ross (Football) and Cloe Pace (Women's Swim and Dive)
Toledo: Kyle Jones (Baseball) and Bri Robeson (Softball)
Western Michigan: Mike Caliendo (Football) and Bailey Korhorn (Women's Soccer)
The Medal of Excellence is presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each of the 12 Conference member institutions.
"The individuals selected for the Medal of Excellence have distinguished themselves academically, athletically, and through demonstrated service and leadership," said MAC Commissioner, Jon A. Steinbrecher. "These men and women have earned this award by putting in long hours of dedication, perseverance and hard work. I congratulate those selected and thank them for their contributions to their institution and the Conference."
To be honored with the Medal of Excellence Award, student-athletes had to participate on the varsity level in a Conference sponsored sport and shown evidence of academic success with a minimum 3.50 accumulative grade-point average, exhibited athletics excellence, leadership and service. Selection of the recipients was made by each MAC institution.
Bryant wrapped up his collegiate career at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships where he competed in the men's weight throw competition. In the event, the graduate student finished sixth with a toss of 22.21m to earn First Team All- American status for the first time. The veteran thrower will leave EMU as the school's record-holder in the discus (58.27m) and hammer throw (67.43m), and second in the weight throw (23.01m).
Seifert started off the 2021 cross country season by registering a personal-best 5K time of 18:18.5 at the Mel Brodt Open for sixth place. She produced a career-best time of 22:00.8 in the 6K at the Mid-American Conference Cross Country Championships, and was named to the 2021 Academic All-MAC Team. At the 2021 MAC Outdoor Championships, Seifert finished seventh in the 1500m race with a time of 4:30.87.
2022 Medal of Excellence Winners
Akron: Tate Wargo (Baseball) and Ivana Shah (Women's Golf)
Ball State: Nathan Snyder (Football) and Karlie Zumbro (Women's Track and Field)
Bowling Green: Jensen Lukacsko (Men's Soccer) and Daisy Platts (Women's Swim and Dive)
Buffalo: Caleb Nickens (Men's Track and Field) and Pia Schwarz (Women's Tennis)
Central Michigan: Andrew Marten (Wrestling) and Hannah Potter (Women's Lacrosse)
Eastern Michigan: Taige Bryant (Men's Track and Field) and Lexi Seifert (Women's Cross Country, Track & Field)
Kent State: Colin McCracken (Wrestling) and Cameron Shedenhelm (Women's Soccer)
Miami: Charlie Harders (Men's Track and Field) and Lexi Nugent (Field Hockey)
Northern Illinois: Enrique Banuelos (Men's Soccer) and Katelyn Keller (Softball)
Ohio: Julian Ross (Football) and Cloe Pace (Women's Swim and Dive)
Toledo: Kyle Jones (Baseball) and Bri Robeson (Softball)
Western Michigan: Mike Caliendo (Football) and Bailey Korhorn (Women's Soccer)
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Men's Track & Field
/ Women's XC
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