The Eastern Michigan University track and field teams traveled to East Lansing on Friday, April 3, 2026, to compete in the Spartan Invitational. Hosted by Michigan State University at Ralph Young Field, the meet served as a critical platform for the Eagles to showcase their talent against regional rivals. By the time the final events concluded, the Eagles had secured two NCAA top-50 rankings, three program top-10 marks, and a combined eight top-three finishes between the men’s and women’s rosters.
Throwing into the national spotlight
The story of the day centered on the EMU throwing group, which dominated their respective circles and produced national-caliber results. Jake McEachern, a native of Lloydminster, Alberta, led the charge by capturing the individual title in the hammer throw. His toss of 63.25m was not only a new season best but also catapulted him to the No. 42 rank in the NCAA Division I outdoor standings.
Following McEachern’s lead, Ray Glory-Ejoyokah delivered a breakout performance in the discus. His throw of 54.66m earned him a second-place finish and a No. 49 national ranking. This mark was particularly significant as it etched his name into the EMU record books at No. 4 all-time for the program.
The depth of the men's throwing unit was further evidenced by DeMarrio Roetherford, who achieved a top-10 program mark of his own. Roetherford placed seventh in the hammer throw with a heave of 56.71m, which now stands as the 10th best mark in school history. He also contributed a fourth-place finish in the discus, rounding out a powerhouse day for the men's field athletes.
Hurdles and sprints: Clemetson leads the charge
On the track, the Eagles found similar success, particularly in the hurdle events. Shamoya Clemetson provided the standout moment for the women's team, capturing the lone individual event title for the women by winning the 100m hurdles with a time of 14.92. Clemetson proved to be a versatile asset throughout the day, also securing fifth place in the javelin and eighth place in the high jump.
In the men’s hurdles, Cason Doolittle grabbed a third-place finish in the 110m hurdles, clocking in at 16.16. Meanwhile, Julien Badoo demonstrated significant progress by setting a personal best in the 400m hurdles with a time of 58.41.
The sprint events saw Nikol Antoniadi represent the Eagles on the podium. In the 100m dash, Antoniadi clocked a 12.97 to secure third place. Other notable performances included Andrew Azunque, who earned second place in the men's long jump with a leap of 7.04m.
Distance milestones and field feats
The distance crew also contributed to the record-breaking day in East Lansing. Carson Vanderschaaf delivered one of the most impressive milestones of the meet in the 5,000m run. Vanderschaaf finished in second place with a time of 14:57.42, marking the first time in his career that he has broken the 15-minute barrier. He was joined in the top five by teammate Isaac Garcia, who finished fifth with a time of 15:19.31.
On the women’s side, Erika Van Loton found success in the seeded section of the 1500m. She crossed the finish line in a personal-best 4:47.28, highlighting the upward trajectory of the women’s middle-distance group.
The women's field events were bolstered by Aleah Johnson, who continued to climb the program’s all-time list. Johnson recorded a personal-best hammer throw of 51.56m. This performance solidified her position at No. 8 in the EMU all-time rankings, improving upon her previous mark of 51.48m. Additionally, Natalie Buratczuk earned a third-place finish in the high jump by clearing 1.60m.
Building on a legacy of excellence
The Eagles' performance at the Spartan Invitational is part of a long-standing history of competition against Michigan State that dates back to 2007. Over nearly two decades, EMU has frequently traveled to East Lansing to test their mettle against Power Four competition, and the 2026 showing suggests the program is currently operating at a high level.
With eight top-three finishes and five total personal bests across the roster, the Eagles have established a strong foundation for the remainder of the outdoor slate. The team’s ability to produce top-10 program marks this early in the season suggests that even more records could be in jeopardy as the weather warms and the competition intensifies.
What’s next for the Eagles
Following their successful stint in East Lansing, the Eastern Michigan track and field programs will head south for warmer weather. The Eagles are scheduled to compete in the Spec Towns Invitational, hosted by the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga., from April 9-11. Fans can continue to follow the team’s progress and view cinematic highlights of the Spartan Invitational on the official athletics website.
