Eastern Michigan Athletics
2025-26 Year In Review: Athletics
7/1/2026 9:00:00 AM | General
Donate to EMU | Year In Review Recap | Academic Recap
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Throughout the 2025-26 academic year, Eastern Michigan University student-athletes delivered memorable performances, achieved historic milestones, and continued to elevate the profile of the Green and White on conference, national, and international stages.
From championship-winning performances and NCAA postseason breakthroughs to individual honors and national recognition, the year showcased the depth of talent across the department and reinforced the momentum that continues to build throughout Eastern Michigan Athletics.
While success came from nearly every corner of the department, one program authored a season that will forever occupy a special place in EMU history.
A SEASON FOR THE AGES
The women's golf program entered the year with expectations unlike any in recent memory.
After establishing itself as one of the Mid-American Conference's premier programs in recent seasons, Eastern opened the 2025-26 campaign determined to take another step forward. By the end of the year, the Eagles had done much more than that.
Eastern captured tournament championships at The Southern, the Leadership & Golf Invitational, and the Silicon Valley Showcase. Along the way, the Eagles climbed into the national rankings and steadily established themselves as one of the nation's top teams.
The success was driven by both experience and depth.
Janae Leovao earned medalist honors at The Southern and the Leadership & Golf Invitational, while Baiyok Sukterm added an individual title at the Silicon Valley Showcase. The performances marked the first time since the 2007-08 season that Eastern golfers captured three individual tournament championships in the same year.
As the spring season progressed, the Eagles continued to gain momentum.
Eastern finished second at the Mid-American Conference Championships, matching its best finish in more than a decade and securing a place among the conference's elite programs. The performance also set the stage for the next historic chapter in the program's rise.
For the first time in school history, Eastern received an NCAA Regional berth.
The Eagles entered the NCAA Tallahassee Regional as the No. 5 seed and delivered one of the most important performances in program history. Eastern finished fourth, securing the first NCAA Championship appearance ever earned by an EMU team.
Yet the most remarkable moments were still ahead.
Competing against the nation's top programs at Omni La Costa Resort in California, Eastern advanced through the first three rounds of stroke play and survived the 15-team cut. Facing pressure on the biggest stage in collegiate golf, the Eagles responded with the lowest team score of the fourth round, shooting a 4-under-par 284 to move into the top eight and advance to match play.
The achievement alone would have marked a historic conclusion to the season.
Instead, Eastern continued its run.
The Eagles defeated Texas in the national quarterfinals before eventually falling to Stanford in the semifinals. When competition concluded, Eastern Michigan stood tied for third nationally, the highest finish by any team in department history.
The accomplishment completed a remarkable two-year rise of 223 spots in the national rankings and established Eastern as one of the nation's premier programs.
The season also brought unprecedented national recognition.
Head Coach Josh Brewer earned Golfweek Women's National Coach of the Year honors, becoming the first coach in program history to receive a national coaching award. Janae Leovao became the first All-American in program history after earning Golfweek Third Team All-America honors and Women's Golf Coaches Association Honorable Mention recognition.
Together, their accomplishments helped define one of the greatest years in Eastern Michigan athletic history.
CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCES
While women's golf commanded national attention throughout the spring, success was evident across the department.
Eastern student-athletes combined to earn seven Mid-American Conference individual and relay championships while producing numerous podium finishes and postseason honors.
Track and field once again played a significant role in that success.
The men's distance medley relay team of Ronan Codyre, Michael Hawkins, Jimmy Geller, and Ty Dailey opened the MAC Indoor Championships by capturing a conference title. The victory continued the program's tradition of excellence and set the tone for a successful championship season.
Kian Wiles emerged as one of the conference's premier middle-distance runners. Throughout the year, he captured MAC championships in the indoor mile, indoor 800-meters, and outdoor 1500-meters while establishing himself as one of the most accomplished athletes in the conference.
The Eagles also found success in the field events.
Gabe Oliveira and Mariah Taylor each secured MAC championships in the triple jump, while Eastern's women's team captured conference titles in both the 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter relays.
The combination of individual excellence and team success helped the program continue its strong tradition of competing among the conference's best.
BREAKTHROUGH MOMENTS
One of the year's defining themes was the ability of Eastern programs to achieve milestones that had never before been reached.
No accomplishment embodied that spirit more than the lacrosse program's victory over Oregon.
Traveling west to face a member of a Big 10 Conference, the Eagles delivered one of the most significant wins in program history, defeating the Ducks, 12-9. The victory marked the first win over a Power Conference opponent in program history and provided another indication of the program's continued growth under Head Coach Maddie Dugan.
The breakthrough win became one of several highlights during a successful season.
Maddy Porter was named MAC Goalkeeper of the Year after earning five conference weekly awards and producing one of the strongest seasons by a goalkeeper in program history. Mackenzie Blackwell added First Team All-MAC honors and later represented Eastern in the IWLCA Senior All-Star Game.
Together, their accomplishments helped continue the upward trajectory of a program that has consistently established new benchmarks in recent years.
THE NEXT GENERATION
A hallmark of successful athletic programs is the ability to develop young talent, and the 2025-26 season provided ample evidence that Eastern's future remains bright.
Six Eagle student-athletes earned Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year honors.
In women's golf, Matilde Zocchi earned conference recognition after making an immediate impact for the nationally ranked Eagles. Men's golfer Robby Turnbull received the same honor after a standout rookie campaign.
Women's basketball's Peyton Hill, diving standout Rose Kendrick, tennis newcomer Cylova Zuleyka Hukmasabiyya, and men's track & field athlete Sam Vesperman each added Freshman of the Year awards to the department's growing list of accomplishments.
Their success reflected both individual talent and the strong foundation being built throughout Eastern Athletics.
HONORS ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT
The success achieved throughout the year resulted in widespread recognition.
Eastern student-athletes earned 47 Mid-American Conference weekly awards, highlighting the consistency of performance across multiple sports.
By season's end, 22 Eagles had earned First Team All-MAC recognition while another 22 received Second Team All-MAC honors.
The department also produced three Third Team All-MAC selections and numerous all-region, all-district, and national award recipients.
COACHES EARNING NATIONAL RECOGNITION
The impact of Eastern Michigan extended beyond student-athletes.
Several coaches earned national recognition for their contributions during the year.
In addition to Brewer's national coaching award, rowing head coach Kemp Savage was named USRowing Man of the Year. The honor recognized his leadership within the sport and his efforts to help expand rowing opportunities nationally.
Volleyball head coach Kevin Foeman was selected to coach within the USA Volleyball Sitting National Team Development Program, while women's basketball assistant coach Shareese Ulis earned a place in the WBCA Next Generation Institute.
Their accomplishments highlighted the quality of leadership throughout the department and further elevated Eastern's national profile.
EAGLES ON THE WORLD STAGE
The impact of Eastern Michigan Athletics extends far beyond current student-athletes, and the 2025-26 year provided several reminders of that fact.
Former Eagle Jasmine Jones represented Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics and earned a bronze medal in the two-woman bobsleigh competition. Her achievement added another chapter to Eastern's proud Olympic history and demonstrated the lasting impact of an EMU athletic experience.
Meanwhile, former quarterback Charlie Batch was selected for induction into the Pennsylvania State Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing a career that has left a lasting mark both on and off the field.
Former women's basketball standout Sisi Eleko also continued her professional career by signing a contract in Poland's top professional league.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Throughout the 2025-26 academic year, Eastern Michigan University student-athletes delivered memorable performances, achieved historic milestones, and continued to elevate the profile of the Green and White on conference, national, and international stages.
From championship-winning performances and NCAA postseason breakthroughs to individual honors and national recognition, the year showcased the depth of talent across the department and reinforced the momentum that continues to build throughout Eastern Michigan Athletics.
While success came from nearly every corner of the department, one program authored a season that will forever occupy a special place in EMU history.
A SEASON FOR THE AGES
The women's golf program entered the year with expectations unlike any in recent memory.
After establishing itself as one of the Mid-American Conference's premier programs in recent seasons, Eastern opened the 2025-26 campaign determined to take another step forward. By the end of the year, the Eagles had done much more than that.
Eastern captured tournament championships at The Southern, the Leadership & Golf Invitational, and the Silicon Valley Showcase. Along the way, the Eagles climbed into the national rankings and steadily established themselves as one of the nation's top teams.
The success was driven by both experience and depth.
Janae Leovao earned medalist honors at The Southern and the Leadership & Golf Invitational, while Baiyok Sukterm added an individual title at the Silicon Valley Showcase. The performances marked the first time since the 2007-08 season that Eastern golfers captured three individual tournament championships in the same year.
As the spring season progressed, the Eagles continued to gain momentum.
Eastern finished second at the Mid-American Conference Championships, matching its best finish in more than a decade and securing a place among the conference's elite programs. The performance also set the stage for the next historic chapter in the program's rise.
For the first time in school history, Eastern received an NCAA Regional berth.
The Eagles entered the NCAA Tallahassee Regional as the No. 5 seed and delivered one of the most important performances in program history. Eastern finished fourth, securing the first NCAA Championship appearance ever earned by an EMU team.
Yet the most remarkable moments were still ahead.
Competing against the nation's top programs at Omni La Costa Resort in California, Eastern advanced through the first three rounds of stroke play and survived the 15-team cut. Facing pressure on the biggest stage in collegiate golf, the Eagles responded with the lowest team score of the fourth round, shooting a 4-under-par 284 to move into the top eight and advance to match play.
The achievement alone would have marked a historic conclusion to the season.
Instead, Eastern continued its run.
The Eagles defeated Texas in the national quarterfinals before eventually falling to Stanford in the semifinals. When competition concluded, Eastern Michigan stood tied for third nationally, the highest finish by any team in department history.
The accomplishment completed a remarkable two-year rise of 223 spots in the national rankings and established Eastern as one of the nation's premier programs.
The season also brought unprecedented national recognition.
Head Coach Josh Brewer earned Golfweek Women's National Coach of the Year honors, becoming the first coach in program history to receive a national coaching award. Janae Leovao became the first All-American in program history after earning Golfweek Third Team All-America honors and Women's Golf Coaches Association Honorable Mention recognition.
Together, their accomplishments helped define one of the greatest years in Eastern Michigan athletic history.
CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCES
While women's golf commanded national attention throughout the spring, success was evident across the department.
Eastern student-athletes combined to earn seven Mid-American Conference individual and relay championships while producing numerous podium finishes and postseason honors.
Track and field once again played a significant role in that success.
The men's distance medley relay team of Ronan Codyre, Michael Hawkins, Jimmy Geller, and Ty Dailey opened the MAC Indoor Championships by capturing a conference title. The victory continued the program's tradition of excellence and set the tone for a successful championship season.
Kian Wiles emerged as one of the conference's premier middle-distance runners. Throughout the year, he captured MAC championships in the indoor mile, indoor 800-meters, and outdoor 1500-meters while establishing himself as one of the most accomplished athletes in the conference.
The Eagles also found success in the field events.
Gabe Oliveira and Mariah Taylor each secured MAC championships in the triple jump, while Eastern's women's team captured conference titles in both the 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter relays.
The combination of individual excellence and team success helped the program continue its strong tradition of competing among the conference's best.
BREAKTHROUGH MOMENTS
One of the year's defining themes was the ability of Eastern programs to achieve milestones that had never before been reached.
No accomplishment embodied that spirit more than the lacrosse program's victory over Oregon.
Traveling west to face a member of a Big 10 Conference, the Eagles delivered one of the most significant wins in program history, defeating the Ducks, 12-9. The victory marked the first win over a Power Conference opponent in program history and provided another indication of the program's continued growth under Head Coach Maddie Dugan.
The breakthrough win became one of several highlights during a successful season.
Maddy Porter was named MAC Goalkeeper of the Year after earning five conference weekly awards and producing one of the strongest seasons by a goalkeeper in program history. Mackenzie Blackwell added First Team All-MAC honors and later represented Eastern in the IWLCA Senior All-Star Game.
Together, their accomplishments helped continue the upward trajectory of a program that has consistently established new benchmarks in recent years.
THE NEXT GENERATION
A hallmark of successful athletic programs is the ability to develop young talent, and the 2025-26 season provided ample evidence that Eastern's future remains bright.
Six Eagle student-athletes earned Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year honors.
In women's golf, Matilde Zocchi earned conference recognition after making an immediate impact for the nationally ranked Eagles. Men's golfer Robby Turnbull received the same honor after a standout rookie campaign.
Women's basketball's Peyton Hill, diving standout Rose Kendrick, tennis newcomer Cylova Zuleyka Hukmasabiyya, and men's track & field athlete Sam Vesperman each added Freshman of the Year awards to the department's growing list of accomplishments.
Their success reflected both individual talent and the strong foundation being built throughout Eastern Athletics.
HONORS ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT
The success achieved throughout the year resulted in widespread recognition.
Eastern student-athletes earned 47 Mid-American Conference weekly awards, highlighting the consistency of performance across multiple sports.
By season's end, 22 Eagles had earned First Team All-MAC recognition while another 22 received Second Team All-MAC honors.
The department also produced three Third Team All-MAC selections and numerous all-region, all-district, and national award recipients.
COACHES EARNING NATIONAL RECOGNITION
The impact of Eastern Michigan extended beyond student-athletes.
Several coaches earned national recognition for their contributions during the year.
In addition to Brewer's national coaching award, rowing head coach Kemp Savage was named USRowing Man of the Year. The honor recognized his leadership within the sport and his efforts to help expand rowing opportunities nationally.
Volleyball head coach Kevin Foeman was selected to coach within the USA Volleyball Sitting National Team Development Program, while women's basketball assistant coach Shareese Ulis earned a place in the WBCA Next Generation Institute.
Their accomplishments highlighted the quality of leadership throughout the department and further elevated Eastern's national profile.
EAGLES ON THE WORLD STAGE
The impact of Eastern Michigan Athletics extends far beyond current student-athletes, and the 2025-26 year provided several reminders of that fact.
Former Eagle Jasmine Jones represented Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics and earned a bronze medal in the two-woman bobsleigh competition. Her achievement added another chapter to Eastern's proud Olympic history and demonstrated the lasting impact of an EMU athletic experience.
Meanwhile, former quarterback Charlie Batch was selected for induction into the Pennsylvania State Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing a career that has left a lasting mark both on and off the field.
Former women's basketball standout Sisi Eleko also continued her professional career by signing a contract in Poland's top professional league.
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