Women’s lacrosse: Emerson Henry
Sophomore midfielder Emerson Henry delivered a historic offensive performance March 1, 2026, leading the Eagles to a 13-10 comeback victory over Austin Peay State University. Henry netted a career-high five goals, marking her fourth career hat trick and propelling Eastern Michigan to its best 5-2 start on the season. Her explosion included two goals on the woman-up advantage, tying for the third-highest single-game total in program history. Beyond scoring, Henry added eight draw controls and eight shots, demonstrating her multifaceted impact as a primary catalyst for the surging Eagles.
Women’s basketball: Sisi Eleko
Senior forward Sisi Eleko reached a massive career milestone Feb. 28, 2026, during a road contest at Northern Illinois University. Eleko recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds, marking the 50th double-double of her decorated NCAA career. This achievement distinguishes her as one of only four active NCAA Division I players to reach that peak. While the team fell short of a Mid-American Conference Tournament berth, Eleko leads the conference in rebounding and has remarkably scored in double digits in every single game she has played this season.
Men’s basketball: Gregory Lawson II
Freshman guard Gregory Lawson II nearly orchestrated a massive upset against the undefeated Miami University, ranked No. 19 in the AP Top 25, on Feb. 24, 2026. Lawson II exploded for 29 points, the highest scoring output for an EMU freshman since James Thompson IV in 2015 and the most against a Division I opponent since the 2002-2003 season. Remarkably, 24 of those points came in the second half as he spearheaded a comeback effort that trimmed a 26-point deficit to just six. Currently leading the MAC in 3-point percentage, his six triples in that game solidified his status as a premier conference threat.
Swimming and diving: Rose Kendrick
Diver Rose Kendrick was named the MAC Freshman Diver of the Year at the 2026 championships in late February. Kendrick is just the third Eagle in program history to earn this prestigious individual honor. Her championship weekend was highlighted by a fourth-place finish in the 3-meter diving final, where she earned a total of 279.30 points. She also secured a seventh-place finish in the 1-meter final earlier in the meet. Her elite execution helped Eastern Michigan secure a sixth-place finish in the overall team standings.
Track and field: Sam Vesperman
Freshman Sam Vesperman earned Co-Indoor Men's Freshman Performer of the Year honors on the final day of the MAC Indoor Championships on Feb. 28, 2026. Vesperman secured the award following a gritty fifth-place finish in the pole vault, where he cleared a height of 4.65 meters (15-03.00). His contribution was vital to the men's team's third-place finish in the overall standings. A Grosse Ile local, Vesperman’s immediate impact on the field events highlights the bright future of the program as it transitions to the outdoor season.
Baseball: Nathan Borchardt
Junior catcher Nathan Borchardt has quickly emerged as a focal point of the Eagles' offense, leading the team with a .333 batting average during their early-season road stretch. Throughout the four-game series against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from Feb. 27 to March 1, 2026, the transfer student maintained a productive .300+ average, solidifying his reputation as one of the program's most reliable hitters. His early success is highlighted by his first home run as an Eagle and a season-high three-hit performance. Borchardt’s consistent ability to reach base and provide a steady presence behind the plate has provided a vital spark for the Eastern lineup.
Gymnastics: Kyrie Lowe
Kyrie Lowe reached a major milestone Feb. 27, 2026, capturing her fifth all-around title of the season during a competitive home tri-meet against Western Michigan University and Illinois State University. Lowe’s total score of 39.100 matched her career high and was instrumental in leading the Eagles to a season-best team score of 195.200. Her performance was highlighted by an electrifying 9.850 on the floor exercise, matching her career best, and a 9.825 on the uneven bars. As a dominant force in all four rotations, Lowe’s consistent elite execution remains the driving force behind the gymnastics program’s competitive 2026 campaign.
