As the collegiate track and field season reaches its crescendo, Eastern Michigan University (EMU) has once again proven why it remains a powerhouse in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). On Tuesday, May 12, the conference office announced that EMU’s own Michael Hawkins and Gabe Oliveira were selected as the Men's Track Athlete of the Week and Men's Field Athlete of the Week, respectively. This recognition serves as a testament to the program's depth and the individual excellence of two athletes who have peaked at precisely the right moment.
For Michael Hawkins, a native of Detroit and a graduate of Cass Technical High School, the honor was a milestone in an already impressive season. Hawkins earned his first career MAC weekly accolade after a clinical performance in the 400m hurdles at the Hillsdale Last Chance meet on May 6. Competing against a field of athletes desperate to improve their standing for the postseason, Hawkins surged to victory with a season-best time of 52.95 seconds. This mark was not only the fastest time in the MAC for that specific week, but it also vaulted him to the second-fastest time in the conference overall this season. His ability to navigate the technical demands of the hurdles while maintaining elite sprint speed has positioned him as a primary contender for a conference title.
While Hawkins was dominating the track in Hillsdale, Gabe Oliveira was making history in the field at the University of Michigan’s Len Paddock Open on May 8. Oliveira, who hails from São Paulo, Brazil, and joined the Eagles via Central Arizona, delivered a masterclass in the triple jump. In his first triple jump competition since securing the indoor MAC title, Oliveira didn't just win; he dominated. He recorded a personal-best mark of 15.54 meters (51-00.00), a distance that currently leads the MAC by more than a foot.
Oliveira’s leap is significant on multiple levels. Regionally, it ranks 29th in the NCAA East Region, placing him in the conversation for national-level competition. Historically, the mark is the seventh-best in the storied history of the EMU program, a feat that highlights his elite status among the many legends who have worn the Green and White. Oliveira’s performance at the Len Paddock Open suggests that the transition from the indoor to the outdoor season has been seamless, as he continues to be the standard-bearer for field events in the conference.
The dual recognition of Hawkins and Oliveira marks the first time this outdoor season that Eastern Michigan has swept multiple weekly awards. The program previously achieved a similar sweep during the indoor season on December 10, when Kayenn Mabin and Jake McEachern were honored for their performances in hurdles and throws. This recurring theme of excellence across different disciplines, sprints, hurdles, jumps, and throws underscores the comprehensive coaching and talent development within the EMU track and field department.
These accolades arrived at a critical juncture as the Eagles prepared for the MAC Outdoor Championships, currently being hosted by Ball State University, starting on May 14 and running through until the 16th. The momentum from Hawkins’ hurdles victory and Oliveira’s historic jump has clearly carried over into the championship environment. Early reports from the Briner Sports Complex in Muncie, Indiana, already indicate that the team is rising to the occasion, with seven program top-10 marks highlighted during the first day of the championships on Thursday, May 14.
As the competition continues through the weekend, the eyes of the conference remain on these two "Athletes of the Week". For Hawkins and Oliveira, the weekly honors are a prestigious acknowledgement of their hard work, but the ultimate goal remains the team and individual hardware waiting at the end of the MAC Outdoor Championships. With the Eagles clicking in all facets of the sport, the program appears ready to add more chapters to its legacy of success.
