A new program benchmark
On June 4, 2026, the Mid-American Conference (MAC) announced its annual Academic All-MAC selections for lacrosse, revealing that Eastern Michigan University (EMU) continues to set the pace for the league. For the 2026 season, the Eagles saw 21 student-athletes earn the prestigious accolade, a figure that represents a significant leap from previous years.
The program has shown a steady upward trajectory in its academic performance. In both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the team placed 14 individuals on the list. By increasing that total by seven in a single year, the Eagles not only shattered their own internal record but also demonstrated a culture of "making the grade" that permeates the entire roster. This latest cohort brings the program’s all-time total to 52 academic honors, with 25 different players having received the award during their tenure at Eastern Michigan.
Dominance across the conference
EMU's performance was not just impressive in a vacuum; it led the entire eight-team conference. Out of the 115 total individuals recognized across the MAC, nearly 20% were Eagles. Competition for the top spot was fierce, as Kent State University followed closely with 19 honorees, and Central Michigan University secured 17.
The criteria for the award are rigorous, requiring a student-athlete to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20 while participating in at least 50 percent of the team's scheduled or completed contests. Furthermore, the award is reserved for those who have established residency at their institution, meaning first-year students and first-year transfers are ineligible for consideration. This makes EMU's record of 21 individuals even more striking, as it represents a vast majority of the eligible upperclassmen on the squad.
The elite three: Maintaining perfect marks
Leading the charge for the Eagles were three student-athletes who achieved the pinnacle of academic success: a perfect 4.00 GPA.
- Tracy Grollman, a senior Management major, earned her fourth career Academic All-MAC honor, making her one of the most decorated scholar-athletes in the program's history.
- Roya Khaleeli, a junior Biology major, maintained her 4.00 while balancing the demands of a rigorous scientific curriculum.
- Annika Wozney, a senior Biology major and the 2025-26 MAC Medal of Excellence recipient, also posted a perfect 4.00, further cementing her status as a leader on campus.
These three are followed by a dense pack of high-achievers. Seven other Eagles, including Payton Bloedow, Samantha Borgert, Reagan Riemer, and Katheryn Wilson, boast GPAs of 3.98, showcasing a team-wide commitment to near-perfection.
Veteran presence and consistency
The 2026 list highlights the sustainability of EMU's academic culture through its repeat winners. Beyond Grollman’s four-year sweep, eight Eagles earned their third career honors: Abby Alderman, Amber Alderman, Caitlin Beahm, Mackenzie Blackwell, Samantha Borgert, Kyleigh Dill, Haley Hodak, and Annika Wozney.
Five additional players, Kelsea Dague, Roya Khaleeli, Karly Low, Kendall Nagle, and Maddy Porter, were recognized for the second time. The depth of the program was further bolstered by seven first-time honorees: Payton Bloedow, Stella Burke, Mak Grisinger, Emerson Henry, Erin Humphrey, Reagan Riemer, and Katheryn Wilson.
Academic diversity in action
The academic interests of the EMU lacrosse team are as diverse as their geographical origins. The honorees are pursuing degrees in high-stakes fields that require significant time commitments outside of practice.
The roster includes students in Nursing (Caitlin Beahm, 3.95 GPA), Aviation Management Technology (Emerson Henry, 3.91 GPA), Exercise Science (Abby Alderman, 3.57 GPA), and Criminology and Criminal Justice (Maddy Porter, 3.43 GPA). Other majors represented include Construction Management, Marketing, Statistics, and Pre-Med.
Building a winning culture
Perhaps most impressively, this academic surge coincided with the best year in program history on the field. This dual success refutes the notion that athletic excellence must come at the expense of scholarship. While 21 players were being honored for their GPAs, the team was also making headlines for athletic milestones.
Recent accolades include Maddy Porter being named the MAC Goalkeeper of the Year and Mackenzie Blackwell being selected to play in the IWLCA Senior All-Star Game. This synergy between the classroom and the field suggests that the discipline required for high-level lacrosse is translating directly into academic discipline, making the Eagles a model program for the Mid-American Conference.
