The Mid-American Conference has officially unveiled the 2026 recipients of the Medal of Excellence Award. This prestigious honor represents the ultimate intersection of academic rigor, athletic prowess and community leadership. This year, Eastern Michigan University is celebrating two standout seniors who embody these ideals: Michael Pfeiffer of the baseball team and Annika Wozney from the lacrosse program. These honorees will be recognized during the 2026 Honors Dinner Ceremony, Thursday, May 29, 2026, at the Cleveland Hotel as part of the MAC Spring Meetings.
The standard of excellence
The Medal of Excellence is not a standard participation trophy; it is a highly selective award presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete from each of the 13 MAC member institutions' graduating classes. To be considered, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50, participate at the varsity level in a conference-sponsored sport, and demonstrate a profound commitment to service and leadership. According to MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher, these recipients represent the very best of the conference, reflecting a character that extends far beyond the final score of a game.
Annika Wozney: The defensive anchor with a perfect score
Eastern Michigan women's lacrosse defensive player No. 30, Annika Wozney, passes the ball to a teammate at the game versus Kent State University on March 14, 2026 at Scicluna field.
For Annika Wozney, the word perfection is not just an aspiration; it is a statistical reality. A biology major with a minor in psychology, Wozney maintained a flawless 4.00 GPA throughout her tenure at Eastern Michigan. Her academic discipline is matched only by her iron woman status on the lacrosse field. Wozney is one of only two players in program history to have started and played in all 65 contests since the program's inaugural season in 2023.
Hailing from Elk River, Minnesota, Wozney has been the backbone of the Eagles' defense. In 2026, she earned All-MAC Second Team honors, following a First Team selection in 2025. Her final season was a masterclass in defensive positioning; she tied for the team lead with 20 caused turnovers and set a new school record with 55 career caused turnovers. Wozney’s impact was a primary factor in the Eagles reaching a historic milestone in 2026: the program's first 10-win season. Her ability to balance the grueling physical demands of Division I lacrosse with the intense academic requirements of a biology degree makes her a quintessential Medal of Excellence recipient.
Michael Pfeiffer: From the bullpen to the big stage
Right-handed pitcher Michael Pfeiffer, No. 31 on Eastern Michigan's baseball team, pitches at the second game in the series versus Central Michigan University on March 28, 2026, at Oestrike Stadium.
Michael Pfeiffer’s journey to the Medal of Excellence is a story of evolution and versatility. A native of Brownsboro, Alabama, Pfeiffer joined the EMU baseball program as a transfer from Northwest-Shoals Community College. While many players struggle with the transition to a higher level of competition, Pfeiffer excelled both on the mound and in the classroom, graduating with a 3.84 GPA in sport management.
On the diamond, Pfeiffer underwent a significant transformation during his senior year, moving from a reliable bullpen arm to a core member of the starting rotation. He started nine games in 2026, logging 38.0 innings, the third-most on the squad. Pfeiffer saved his best for last, finishing the season on a dominant tear where he allowed only one earned run over his final four appearances. This stretch included a high-pressure, three-inning scoreless performance against Michigan State University.
Beyond his stats, Pfeiffer brings a unique personality to the Eagles' roster. While he dreams of playing baseball professionally, he also harbors the ambitious goal of becoming a race car mechanic. Whether he is striking out batters or studying the mechanics of a high-performance engine, Pfeiffer operates with a level of focus that has defined his career at EMU.
