Cross Country and Track & Field Add 10 to Programs

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University cross country and track and field programs announced 10 additions to the 2026-27 season.

"We are so excited to welcome the newest Eagles to our EMU Track & Field Family," said Co-Directors Chris Best and Sterling Roberts. "They bring us both depth and talent in several events and will make an immediate impact on the team. And this is only our first round of commitments...what a great sign for the future of EMU Track & Field," Best and Roberts added.

The 2026 class includes Kaelyn Becken, Kaiya Fujioka, Ella Luker, Laura Van Nes, Maiya Corrigan, Riley Williams, Mercy Chepkemoi, Emma Kanka, Sean Cinzori, and Cameron Gramzow. Becken, Fujioka, and Luker will join the cross country and track and field programs as distance runners, while Van Nes, Corrigan, Williams, Kanka, Cinzori, and Gramzow will compete in field events for the track and field program.

The incoming athletes are from three different states, Canada, and Kenya, with two coming from Ohio (Becken/Luker), one from Indiana (Williams), four Michigan natives (Corrigan, Kanka, Cinzori, and Gramzow), two from Ontario (Fujioka/Van Nes), and one from Kenya (Chepkemoi).

"We are thrilled to welcome our signees to our Eastern Michigan Cross Country and Track & Field family," says distance coach Austin Whitelaw. "Each of them brings numerous accolades to Ypsilanti, and great energy to our recruiting class and program moving forward! They share our vision in the pursuit of championships and embrace what it means to be a student-athlete within our program" Whitelaw added.

Kaelyn Becken (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg)
Event: Distance
EMU: 2026: Will join the EMU cross country and track & field programs as an incoming freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Perrysburg High School… two-time earner of First Team All-League and First Team All-Region… Earned All-Ohio honors for the 4x800m relay in 2025… Won the 2023 state championship with the Yellow Jackets… Her team also was crowned league champions in 2023, 2024, and 2025, along with being regional team champions in 2024, and 2025.

PERSONAL: Full name: Kaelyn Ellen Becken… Daughter of Matthew and Tiffany Becken… Has a sister, Brayleigh… A native of Perrysburg, Ohio… Major: Biology.

Kaiya Fujioka
Event: Distance
EMU: 2026: Will join the EMU cross country and track & field programs as an incoming freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Brooklin High School… Named cross country most valuable athlete in 2024… Also competed for the Durham Dragons… Saw a second-place finish at the Athletics Ontario Cross Country Provincials/States, along with a top-20 finish at the Athletics Ontario Cross Country Nationals.

PERSONAL: Full name: Kaiya Brooke Fujioka… Daughter of Craig Fujioka and Allison Romyn… A native of Whitby, Ontario… Major: Biology.

Ella Luker
Event: Distance
EMU: 2026: Will join the EMU cross country and track & field programs as an incoming freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Jonathan Alder High School… Has earned eight letters with the Pioneers… Earned first runner award and captain award… During her senior year she has earned CBC Athlete of the Year, third place at districts, fifth place at regionals, Second Team All-Ohio, and Academic All-Ohio… Is a two-time CBC Champion, two-time District Champion, three-time top-five finisher at regionals, and a four-time state qualifier.

PERSONAL: Full name: Ella Claire Luker… Daughter of Marc and Janel Luker… Has a sister, Maya… A native of Columbus, Ohio… Major: Psychology.

Mercy Chepkemoi
Event: Distance
EMU: 2026: Will join the EMU cross country and track & field programs as an incoming freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Kaplelach Secondary School… Competes in distance events.

PERSONAL: Full name: Mercy Chepkemoi… Daughter of John Mutai and Josphine Rono… Has three brothers, Gideon Kiprotich, Victor Kipkoech, and Emmanuel Kipkoech, along with two sisters, Dorcas Chepkorir and Abigael Chepkoech… A native of Molo, Nakuru, Kenya… Major: Sports management.

"I am so excited to see how these folks grow during the next few years," says coach Evan Brusich, who assists with vertical jumps and multi events. "They chose EMU for the right reasons and the chapter they're aiming to add to our championship culture looks to be a good one. We couldn't ask for better people," Brusich concluded.

Laura Van Nes
Event: High Jump
EMU: 2026: Will join the EMU track & field programs as an incoming freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attends St. Anne's Catholic Secondary School… Competes in the high jump for the Eagles… Currently holds a 1.77m personal best mark.

PERSONAL: Full name: Laura Van Nes… Daughter of Bill and Cindy Van Nes… Has three brothers, Eric, Willem, Hendrik, and three sisters, Julia, Grace, and Rose… A native of Ontario… Major: Engineering.

Maiya Corrigan
Event: Pole Vault
EMU: 2026: Will join the EMU track & field programs as an incoming freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Rockford High School… Competing in the pole vault for the Rams under head coach Sean O'Brien… Has earned all-conference and academic all-state honors every year of high school so far… Was the OK Red conference champion her sophomore year… Also competed in gymnastics for 10 years.

PERSONAL: Full name: Maiya Jane Corrigan… Daughter of John and Lisa Corrigan… Has a brother, Matthew… A native of Rockford, Mich… Major: Nursing.

Riley Williams
Event: Pole Vault
EMU: 2026: Will join the EMU track & field programs as an incoming freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Hamilton Southeastern High School… Competes in the pole vault for the Royals… Has earned all-state outdoor and all-state indoor… Won sectional and conference championships with her team, along with being state runner up… Also played soccer.

PERSONAL: Full name: Riley Elizabeth Williams… Daughter of Lauren McCracken… Has a brother Miles McCracken, and sisters Karter McCracken, Kaelyn Williams, and Aubrie Williams… A native of Noblesville, Ind… Major: Psychology.

Sean Cinzori
Event: Pole Vault
EMU: 2026: Will join the EMU track & field programs as an incoming freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Plymouth High School… Has earned four letters and holds the pole vault record at Plymouth… Was named Field Athlete of the Year and MVP… Has earned three conference titles, along with being a three-time Academic All-American… Also was a four-time nationally qualified gymnast… Outside of Plymouth, competed for the Michigan Academy of Gymnastics, Dearborn Track Club, Landon Athletics, and Michigan Elite Gymnastics Academy.

PERSONAL: Full name: Sean Thomas Cinzori… Son of Thomas and Aimee Cinzori… Has a sister, Alexandra… A native of Plymouth, Mich… Major: Economics.

Emma Kanka
Event: Throws
EMU: 2026: Will join the EMU track & field programs as an incoming freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Howell High School… Competes in shot put and discus events for the Highlanders… Was the first junior to throw a 40-foot shot put mark in her county… Broke her school's discus record… Two-time all-region in shot put, three-time all-region in discus, two-time all-conference in shot put, and earned all-conference in discus once so far… Earned Livingston Daily athlete of the week… Earned sixth place all-state and KLAA West titles… Also played volleyball, field hockey, basketball (two-time district champions), and competed in powerlifting.

PERSONAL: Full name: Emma Alexzandra Kanka… Daughter of Thomas and Beverly Kanka… Has two brothers, Bobby and Frank … A native of Howell, Mich… Major: Undecided.

Cameron Gramzow
Event: Throws
EMU: 2026: Will join the EMU track & field programs as an incoming freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Anchor Bay High School… Competes in both discus throw and shot put events… Has earned three letters and been captain for two years… Holds the school record in the discus throw (179-1) at Anchor Bay… Has earned All Macomb County, MAC Red Champion, and Regional Champion awards… Is also a three-time all-state honoree.

PERSONAL: Full name: Cameron Jhon David Gramzow… Son of Jeff and Nicole Gramzow… Has a brother, Blake, and sister, Ashley… A native of New Baltimore, Mich… Major: Mechanical engineering.

Follow Us
For updates on all things EMU cross country/track & field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, X, and Facebook at @EMUXC_TF.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

Related News

Related Videos