Eastern Michigan Athletics
Men's Track & Field
Brusich, Evan
Evan Brusich
- Title:
- Assistant Coach (vertical jumps/multi events)
- Email:
- ebrusich@emich.edu
- Phone:
- 734.487.2250
Evan Brusich is entering his sixth season as an assistant coach in 2024-25. He oversees the Eagles' multi athletes, pole vaulters, and high jumpers.
The jumper's 2023-24 indoor season was highlighted by performances from Brendan Hill and Ousman Kamara. Hill bounced a personal-best 2.10m (6-10.75) jump placed him first at the Bob Parks Memorial before the duo tied for second at the MAC Indoor Championship, each jumping 2.04m (6-08.00). For his efforts, Hill was named All-MAC Second Team. The indoor season served as a strong start for two multi athletes in Samuel Jeffery and Cason Doolittle. Jeffery finished third in the heptathlon at the MAC Indoor Championship while Doolittle placed sixth. Each posted a personal-best score (Jeffery - 4,841 points) (Doolittle - 4,454 points). Jeffery particularly excelled as he posted EMU top-10 heptathlon marks in six of the seven heptathlon events. He most notably ran the third-fastest heptathlon 1000m, finishing in 2:48.91. On the women's side, Maleah Scott grabbed the program's sixth-best pentathlon shot put with a 10.44m (34-3) toss.
Brusich's vault performances were led by Fleur van der Linden who broke into the program top-10 with a 3.85m (12-7.5) vault, ranking ninth in program history. She would go on to place third at MAC Indoors. For the men, Jacob Niedzwiecki placed fourth in the pole vault at MAC Indoors with a 4.78m (15-8.25) spring.
In the 2024 outdoor season, the Eastern multi athletes built on their indoor season. Jeffery collected a third-place outing in the decathlon at the 2024 MAC Outdoor Championships while notching a top-10 mark in nine out of the 10 decathlon events. Doolittle placed fifth while also notching a top-10 mark in nine out of the 10 decathlon events. For the women, Scott finished eighth in the heptathlon at MAC Outdoors and notched the second-best heptathlon shot put in school history at 10.62m (34-10.25). Micah Martin highlighted the jumper's performances in the outdoor season, as she recorded the fourth-best leap in program history with a 1.75m (5-8.75) bounce. van der Linden again wrote her name in the program top-10, this time in the outdoor season, as she vaulted 3.85m (12-7.5) yet again, marking the 10th best mark in program history for a third-place outing at the MAC Outdoor meet. She was immediately followed by Maura Lane, who placed fourth with a 3.65m (11-11.75) mark.
Brusich’s 2022-23 indoor season was highlighted by performances from Lane, Hill, and Niedzwiecki. At the 2023 MAC Indoor Championships, Lane placed second in the pole vault, vaulting 3.71m. Following suit with Lane, Hill also earned a second-place finish as he captured silver in the high jump, leaping 2.05m, after achieving a season-best 2.09m (6-10.25) bounce. Niedzwiecki would slot fourth in the men’s pole vault with his highest vault being 4.81m.
Brusich’s female vaulters excelled at the 2023 MAC Outdoor Championships with van der Linden taking third (3.71m), followed by Lane (4th - 3.71m), and Nicole Bow (5th – 3.56m). For the men, Niedzwiecki placed fourth with a personal-best 5.02m (16-5.5) vault, finishing fourth. Hill built upon his second-place outing at the indoor conference meet, this time around he would earn gold, jumping 2.06m in the high jump. Chevonne Wheeler highlighted EMU’s multi student-athletes in the outdoor meet, as she placed ninth in the heptathlon, scoring 4,520 points, the 10th best mark in program history.
Brusich’s high jumpers had an especially strong season, led by Quintella Johnson, Kamara, and Hill. Johnson earned silver (1.75m) at the MAC Indoor Championships, Feb. 26-27, and bronze (1.70m) at the league’s outdoor meet, May 12-14. Meanwhile, Kamara produced a leap of 2.00m for third at the indoor title meet and a personal-best 2.07m performance for second at the MAC Outdoor Championships. Teammate Hill wrapped up his freshman campaign with a bronze medal (2.04m) at the conference’s outdoor meet, improving from his fourth-place finish (2.00m) at the indoor league final.
The 2021-22 season also saw multi athletes Chevonne Wheeler and Scott showcase their talents. Wheeler finished seventh in the 400m hurdles with a personal-best time of 1:01.14 at the MAC Outdoor Championships. Earlier in the year, the junior recorded a career-high point total of 4,285 in the heptathlon at the Golden Grizzlies Invite, April 1-2. Scott produced a personal-best heptathlon point total of 3,845 for 11th at the league’s outdoor meet, with career-high marks in the shot put (9.66m), 200m dash (27.95), and javelin (24.64m).
During the 2020-21 campaign, Brusich mentored high jumper Quintella Johnson to Second Team All-American status, finishing 16th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a leap of 1.78m. At the NCAA East Regional Championships, Johnson notched a personal-best leap of 1.82m with clean jumps, tying for first at the competition.
Prior to her appearance at the national meet, Johnson captured both the indoor and outdoor Mid-American Conference high jump titles.
Fellow jumper Nina Ward had a breakout season with strong performances in the long jump and high jump. At the MAC Indoor Championships, she took second in the high jump with a clearance of 1.69m. In the outdoor season, the Ohio native produced a personal-best long jump of 6.31m. Her 6.31m mark is the third-best outdoor distance in program history. Ward finished runner-up in the long jump at the league’s outdoor championships with a leap of 5.89m. Additionally, she produced a career-high high jump of 1.71 for third at the Knights Invite.
Thrower Kristine Bourg threw a career-high javelin heave of 44.07m at the MAC Outdoor Championships for second. The throw is the fifth-best in program history.
The 2020-21 season also saw pole vaulter Graysen Simmons finish fourth at the MAC Indoor Championships with a height of 3.81m. In the outdoor season, Simmons earned a career-high clearance of 3.88m, good for ninth in school history.
Multis specialist Skyler Lester produced impressive marks throughout the indoor and outdoor seasons. The Georgia native recorded a career-high point total of 5,617 in the heptathlon at the GVSU Snowdown Showdown. There, Lester won four events and set personal-bests in the 60m dash (7.10), long jump (6.86m), and shot put (13.23m). His 5,617 points rank him fourth all-time.
At the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships, Lester finished fourth overall with 5,122 points in the heptathlon. In the competition, he produced top-three finishes in seven events, including a first-place finish in the high jump (2.04m). Additionally, Lester was incredibly reliable in the high jump, finishing below 2.0m just once in the entire 2020-21 season.
Gianna Salzbrunn also had success in multis, wrapping her career up at the MAC Outdoor Championships with a personal-best heptathlon score of 4400.
The abbreviated 2019-20 season saw Johnson win her first league high jump title at EMU after transferring from Texas Southern. The Las Vegas, Nev., native recorded a clearance of 1.74m to help the Eagles win the league championship.
Brusich arrived in Ypsilanti with eight years of coaching experience at the NCAA Division I level, having spent time at Gardner-Webb and Baylor University. After returning to Gardner-Webb as an assistant coach in 2014, Brusich developed a pair of NCAA preliminary qualifiers and 22 All Big-South honorees, while seven school records were broken during his tenure. Additionally, Brusich served as the strength and conditioning coach, equipment manager, and catering specialist with the Runnin’ Bulldogs.
A native of Lilburn, Ga., Brusich started his collegiate coaching career by spending three seasons as a volunteer coach at Baylor. While with the Bears, Brusich was responsible for recruiting and developing future All-Americans in the pole vault and heptathlon. In all, Brusich coached three All-Americans in shot put, discus, and hammer, along with one NCAA decathlon qualifier, 14 All-Big 12 performers, and eight NCAA preliminary qualifiers.
Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Brusich was a standout student-athlete at Gardner-Webb. He served as a team captain for three seasons and earned All-Big South Conference honors in the decathlon and 4x400-meter relay.
The jumper's 2023-24 indoor season was highlighted by performances from Brendan Hill and Ousman Kamara. Hill bounced a personal-best 2.10m (6-10.75) jump placed him first at the Bob Parks Memorial before the duo tied for second at the MAC Indoor Championship, each jumping 2.04m (6-08.00). For his efforts, Hill was named All-MAC Second Team. The indoor season served as a strong start for two multi athletes in Samuel Jeffery and Cason Doolittle. Jeffery finished third in the heptathlon at the MAC Indoor Championship while Doolittle placed sixth. Each posted a personal-best score (Jeffery - 4,841 points) (Doolittle - 4,454 points). Jeffery particularly excelled as he posted EMU top-10 heptathlon marks in six of the seven heptathlon events. He most notably ran the third-fastest heptathlon 1000m, finishing in 2:48.91. On the women's side, Maleah Scott grabbed the program's sixth-best pentathlon shot put with a 10.44m (34-3) toss.
Brusich's vault performances were led by Fleur van der Linden who broke into the program top-10 with a 3.85m (12-7.5) vault, ranking ninth in program history. She would go on to place third at MAC Indoors. For the men, Jacob Niedzwiecki placed fourth in the pole vault at MAC Indoors with a 4.78m (15-8.25) spring.
In the 2024 outdoor season, the Eastern multi athletes built on their indoor season. Jeffery collected a third-place outing in the decathlon at the 2024 MAC Outdoor Championships while notching a top-10 mark in nine out of the 10 decathlon events. Doolittle placed fifth while also notching a top-10 mark in nine out of the 10 decathlon events. For the women, Scott finished eighth in the heptathlon at MAC Outdoors and notched the second-best heptathlon shot put in school history at 10.62m (34-10.25). Micah Martin highlighted the jumper's performances in the outdoor season, as she recorded the fourth-best leap in program history with a 1.75m (5-8.75) bounce. van der Linden again wrote her name in the program top-10, this time in the outdoor season, as she vaulted 3.85m (12-7.5) yet again, marking the 10th best mark in program history for a third-place outing at the MAC Outdoor meet. She was immediately followed by Maura Lane, who placed fourth with a 3.65m (11-11.75) mark.
Brusich’s 2022-23 indoor season was highlighted by performances from Lane, Hill, and Niedzwiecki. At the 2023 MAC Indoor Championships, Lane placed second in the pole vault, vaulting 3.71m. Following suit with Lane, Hill also earned a second-place finish as he captured silver in the high jump, leaping 2.05m, after achieving a season-best 2.09m (6-10.25) bounce. Niedzwiecki would slot fourth in the men’s pole vault with his highest vault being 4.81m.
Brusich’s female vaulters excelled at the 2023 MAC Outdoor Championships with van der Linden taking third (3.71m), followed by Lane (4th - 3.71m), and Nicole Bow (5th – 3.56m). For the men, Niedzwiecki placed fourth with a personal-best 5.02m (16-5.5) vault, finishing fourth. Hill built upon his second-place outing at the indoor conference meet, this time around he would earn gold, jumping 2.06m in the high jump. Chevonne Wheeler highlighted EMU’s multi student-athletes in the outdoor meet, as she placed ninth in the heptathlon, scoring 4,520 points, the 10th best mark in program history.
Brusich’s high jumpers had an especially strong season, led by Quintella Johnson, Kamara, and Hill. Johnson earned silver (1.75m) at the MAC Indoor Championships, Feb. 26-27, and bronze (1.70m) at the league’s outdoor meet, May 12-14. Meanwhile, Kamara produced a leap of 2.00m for third at the indoor title meet and a personal-best 2.07m performance for second at the MAC Outdoor Championships. Teammate Hill wrapped up his freshman campaign with a bronze medal (2.04m) at the conference’s outdoor meet, improving from his fourth-place finish (2.00m) at the indoor league final.
The 2021-22 season also saw multi athletes Chevonne Wheeler and Scott showcase their talents. Wheeler finished seventh in the 400m hurdles with a personal-best time of 1:01.14 at the MAC Outdoor Championships. Earlier in the year, the junior recorded a career-high point total of 4,285 in the heptathlon at the Golden Grizzlies Invite, April 1-2. Scott produced a personal-best heptathlon point total of 3,845 for 11th at the league’s outdoor meet, with career-high marks in the shot put (9.66m), 200m dash (27.95), and javelin (24.64m).
During the 2020-21 campaign, Brusich mentored high jumper Quintella Johnson to Second Team All-American status, finishing 16th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a leap of 1.78m. At the NCAA East Regional Championships, Johnson notched a personal-best leap of 1.82m with clean jumps, tying for first at the competition.
Prior to her appearance at the national meet, Johnson captured both the indoor and outdoor Mid-American Conference high jump titles.
Fellow jumper Nina Ward had a breakout season with strong performances in the long jump and high jump. At the MAC Indoor Championships, she took second in the high jump with a clearance of 1.69m. In the outdoor season, the Ohio native produced a personal-best long jump of 6.31m. Her 6.31m mark is the third-best outdoor distance in program history. Ward finished runner-up in the long jump at the league’s outdoor championships with a leap of 5.89m. Additionally, she produced a career-high high jump of 1.71 for third at the Knights Invite.
Thrower Kristine Bourg threw a career-high javelin heave of 44.07m at the MAC Outdoor Championships for second. The throw is the fifth-best in program history.
The 2020-21 season also saw pole vaulter Graysen Simmons finish fourth at the MAC Indoor Championships with a height of 3.81m. In the outdoor season, Simmons earned a career-high clearance of 3.88m, good for ninth in school history.
Multis specialist Skyler Lester produced impressive marks throughout the indoor and outdoor seasons. The Georgia native recorded a career-high point total of 5,617 in the heptathlon at the GVSU Snowdown Showdown. There, Lester won four events and set personal-bests in the 60m dash (7.10), long jump (6.86m), and shot put (13.23m). His 5,617 points rank him fourth all-time.
At the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships, Lester finished fourth overall with 5,122 points in the heptathlon. In the competition, he produced top-three finishes in seven events, including a first-place finish in the high jump (2.04m). Additionally, Lester was incredibly reliable in the high jump, finishing below 2.0m just once in the entire 2020-21 season.
Gianna Salzbrunn also had success in multis, wrapping her career up at the MAC Outdoor Championships with a personal-best heptathlon score of 4400.
The abbreviated 2019-20 season saw Johnson win her first league high jump title at EMU after transferring from Texas Southern. The Las Vegas, Nev., native recorded a clearance of 1.74m to help the Eagles win the league championship.
Brusich arrived in Ypsilanti with eight years of coaching experience at the NCAA Division I level, having spent time at Gardner-Webb and Baylor University. After returning to Gardner-Webb as an assistant coach in 2014, Brusich developed a pair of NCAA preliminary qualifiers and 22 All Big-South honorees, while seven school records were broken during his tenure. Additionally, Brusich served as the strength and conditioning coach, equipment manager, and catering specialist with the Runnin’ Bulldogs.
A native of Lilburn, Ga., Brusich started his collegiate coaching career by spending three seasons as a volunteer coach at Baylor. While with the Bears, Brusich was responsible for recruiting and developing future All-Americans in the pole vault and heptathlon. In all, Brusich coached three All-Americans in shot put, discus, and hammer, along with one NCAA decathlon qualifier, 14 All-Big 12 performers, and eight NCAA preliminary qualifiers.
Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Brusich was a standout student-athlete at Gardner-Webb. He served as a team captain for three seasons and earned All-Big South Conference honors in the decathlon and 4x400-meter relay.
| The Evan Brusich File | ||||
| Name: | Evan Brusich | |||
| Hometown: | Lilburn, Ga. | |||
| College: | Gardner-Webb - B.S. in Business Administration and Exercise Science - 2011 Baylor - M.S. in Sport Pedagogy - 2012 |
|||
| Professional Experience | ||||
| Year | School/Team | Position | ||
| 2019-Pres. | Eastern Michigan University | Assistant Track & Field Coach | ||
| 2014-19 | Gardner-Webb University | Assistant Track & Field Coach | ||
| 2011-14 | Baylor University | Graduate Assistant | ||
| 2007-2011 | Gardner-Webb University | Student-Athlete | ||
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