On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the Mid-American Conference officially unveiled its All-MAC teams, cementing the status of eleven Eastern Michigan University (EMU) student-athletes among the elite in collegiate athletics. The announcement followed the 2026 MAC Outdoor Championships, a venue where the Eagles demonstrated both individual brilliance and collective synergy. To earn a spot on the First Team, athletes were required to secure a first-place finish in at least one event, while a second-place showing was the prerequisite for Second Team distinction.
Relay excellence: The women’s path to the first team
The Eastern Michigan women’s squad made a resounding statement in the relay events, accounting for all six of the team's first-team nods. The narrative of the championship was largely defined by the "double-gold" performances of Saraiah Walkes and Uduak Udosoh. Both athletes proved indispensable to the relay units, capturing titles in both the 4x100m and 4x400m races.
In the 4x100m relay, Walkes and Udosoh were joined by Ajah Arscott and Jordynn Young. The quartet crossed the finish line in 45.33 seconds, a time that not only secured them a conference championship but also improved their standing to No. 10 in program history. This achievement underscores a high level of technical precision in their baton exchanges and raw sprinting speed.
The dominance continued in the 4x400m relay, where Walkes and Udosoh teamed up with Josephine Oloye and Demetria Henderson. They finished the race in 3:38.21, further establishing EMU's reputation as a powerhouse in long-sprint relays. Oloye’s contributions were particularly noteworthy; in addition to her relay gold, she earned a second-place finish in the individual 400m with a time of 53.61 seconds. This performance also etched her name into the EMU record books, ranking as the 10th-best time in program history.
Field and hurdles: Individual standouts
While the relays captured the headlines for the women, Shamoya Clemetson represented the Eagles on the All-MAC Second Team through individual excellence in the field. Clemetson delivered a standout performance in the long jump, recording a personal best leap of 6.14m (20-10.75). This distance secured her the runner-up spot in the conference and ranks as the sixth-best mark in the history of the EMU program.
On the men’s side, the Eagles showcased a diverse range of talent across track and field disciplines. Kian Wiles stood as the sole first-team honoree for the men, successfully defending his title in the 1500m. Wiles clocked a time of 3:48.30, demonstrating the tactical maturity required to remain at the top of a highly competitive middle-distance field.
The men’s Second Team honorees further illustrated the program’s versatility. Jake McEachern found success in the throwing circle, securing second place in the hammer throw with a formidable mark of 61.98m (203-4). On the track, Olawole Olanrewaju earned his honors in the 400m with a time of 46.70, while Kayenn Mabin proved to be one of the conference's elite hurdlers, finishing as the runner-up in the 110m hurdles in 14.23 seconds.
Looking ahead: The road to the NCAA East prelims
For these eleven honorees and their teammates, the MAC Championships are just one chapter in a longer postseason journey. The focus now shifts toward the national stage as qualifying Eagles travel to Lexington, Kentucky, for the 2026 NCAA East Prelims.
Hosted by the University of Kentucky, the event will take place from Wednesday, May 27, through Saturday, May 30. This meet serves as the gateway to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, where EMU’s top performers will face the best athletes from across the eastern United States. With eleven All-MAC honors in hand and several marks already ranking among the best in school history, the Eagles enter the preliminary rounds with significant momentum and a proven ability to perform when the stakes are highest.
The success of the 2026 outdoor season continues a tradition of excellence for Eastern Michigan Track & Field, as the program continues to produce student-athletes who excel both in individual competition and as part of record-breaking relay teams. Fans can follow the team's progress through the NCAA rounds on official social media channels and the athletic department's website.
