The trophy cases at Eastern Michigan University are becoming increasingly crowded this spring as student-athletes across multiple programs continue to dominate the Mid-American Conference (MAC) weekly awards. From the precision of the golf course to the explosive power of the track and the defensive resilience of the lacrosse field, the Eagles have established themselves as the team to beat in the MAC. Leading this charge are several record-breaking performers who have turned individual accolades into a testament to the university’s rising athletic profile.
Box sets the standard on the links
The EMU men’s golf program is currently witnessing one of the most successful individual and team seasons in its history. Junior Charlie Box (Leicester, England) has been at the forefront of this surge, recently securing his fourth MAC Golfer of the Week honor of the 2025-26 season. This achievement, announced on April 24, makes Box the first player in program history to earn the award four times in a single season, surpassing the previous record held by EMU legends Cam Burke and Graham Hill.
Box’s latest honor followed a spectacular performance at the inaugural Muirfield Shootout in Dublin, Ohio. He captured a share of medalist honors, his second tournament title of the season and the seventh of his career, by sinking birdies on his final three holes. His two-round total of 3-under 141 (70-71) stands as the fifth-best 36-hole score in the program's storied history. Box’s dominance is reflective of a broader team success; under Head Coach Andy Walker, the Eagles have collected a record seven MAC weekly honors this season, with Robby Turnbull and Joshua Hess also earning recognition.
Power and precision in track and field
While the golfers find success on the grass, the EMU track and field teams are shattering records on the dirt and in the pits. The program has seen a dual-threat emergence in field events, with both the men’s and women’s teams producing top-tier performers.
McEachern’s hammer throw ascent
Junior Jake McEachern (Lloydminster, Alberta) has become a fixture in the MAC weekly highlights. On April 14, he was named the MAC Men’s Field Athlete of the Week for the second time in his career. McEachern’s prowess in the hammer throw was on full display at the Spec Towns Invitational, where he recorded a personal best of 63.76 metres (209-2), ranking him seventh in EMU history at the time. He has since improved that mark to 64.29m (210-11), moving him up to No. 6 on Eastern’s all-time record list and second in the conference. His consistency is notable, having also earned weekly honors during the indoor season for his performance in the weight throw.
Taylor shatters the triple jump record
On the women's side, sophomore Mariah Taylor (East Lake, Fla.) made history on April 28 by becoming the first member of the women's team to earn a MAC weekly accolade this season. Taylor was named the MAC Women’s Field Athlete of the Week after a monumental performance at the Jim Freeman/Clark Wood Invitational. She broke the EMU school record in the triple jump with a leap of 12.92 metres (42-04.75), a mark that leads the MAC and ranks 45th nationally. This milestone makes Taylor the first Eagle to win the Field Athlete of the Week award since 2024, signaling a bright future for the sophomore as the championship season looms.
Porter holding it down for EMU Lacrosse
Perhaps no athlete embodies defensive excellence more than junior goalkeeper Maddy Porter (Montrose, N.Y.). Porter was recently named the MAC Goalkeeper of the Week for the fifth time in the 2026 season, bringing her career total of weekly accolades to nine. Her latest honor followed an 11-save performance against Youngstown State, where she allowed only three goals in three quarters of play to secure the team’s 10th win of the year.
Porter’s career in Ypsilanti has been nothing short of legendary. She is a two-time NCAA statistical champion in ground balls per game and the 2025 MAC Goalkeeper of the Year. In her most recent outing, she surpassed the 200 career ground ball milestone, making her the only player in program history to reach that mark. Her 153 saves this season mark her second consecutive year with over 150 stops, anchoring a defense that also features standout performers like Karly Low, who earned Defensive Player of the Week earlier this year.
Looking ahead to championship season
The accumulation of these honors sets a high bar as EMU prepares for the postseason. The men’s golf team is slated for the MAC Championships in early May, while the track and field squads are heading to the Jesse Owens Invitational to fine-tune their performances for the conference finals. Meanwhile, the lacrosse team enters the MAC Tournament as the third seed, ready to challenge for a title behind Porter’s veteran leadership in the net. For the Eastern Michigan Eagles, these weekly honors are more than just awards; they are the building blocks of a championship culture.
