Sports - The Eastern Echo

Gymnast’s passion began at young age

By Raven Gardiner · Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Anna “Willy” Willette, an Eastern Michigan University sophomore, has traveled from Pylesville, Md., to accomplish her goals of becoming a gymnast.

From left: Matt Balkema, Jamell Harris and Derek Thompson said their best memory was winning the MAC West in 2012.

Seniors reflect on accomplishments

By Al Willman · Sunday, March 24, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team had its season come to an end in the Mid-American Conference quarterfinals against Western Michigan University March 14. With that game, the college careers of center Matt Balkema, forward Jamell Harris and guard Derek Thompson came to an end as well.

EMU wrestlers out of tourney

By Raven Gardiner · Sunday, March 24, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University men’s wrestling season finished when redshirt juniors Phillip Joseph and Nick Whitenburg competed at the NCAA Championship Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa, which took place Thursday through Saturday.

Senior swimmer finishes third at NCAA championships

By Eugene Evans · Sunday, March 24, 2013

Led by senior and All-American Kelly Hendricks’ third-place finish in the three-meter dive, the Eastern Michigan University women’s swimming and diving team completed their season at the NCAA championships held at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis, Ind., this past weekend.

EMU volleyball coach Kim Berrington thought the team’s performance was “solid,” and was pleased with the things they worked on.

EMU volleyball opens season

By Al Willman · Sunday, March 24, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team opened its spring season Saturday by hosting and participating in the EMU Spring Tournament. The matches were scored, however, the wins and losses did not count toward regular season standings.

Megan Crawshaw, middle blocker, is expected to help the team to victory.

Eagles make changes for spring

By Al Willman · Wednesday, March 20, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team finished the season with an 18-15 record and lost in the first round of the Mid-American Conference tournament. While the regular season isn’t set to begin until August, the spring season is getting underway this weekend.

Two wrestlers sent to NCAA tourney

By Raven Gardiner · Wednesday, March 20, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University men’s wrestling team is sending off two wrestlers to the NCAA tournament March 21-23. Redshirt juniors Phillip Joseph and Nick Whitenburg will head to the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, to compete against some of the best wrestlers in the country.

Wrestler Nick Whitenburg suffered an injury but came back.

Whitenburg’s comeback

By Raven Gardiner · Wednesday, March 20, 2013

After spending half his season off the mat with an injury, Nick Whitenburg, an Eastern Michigan University 197-pound redshirt junior wrestler, has made a strong comeback in his wrestling season.

EMU staff members recall their top NCAA memories

By Eugene Evans · Wednesday, March 20, 2013

From buzzer-beaters to early round upsets, the NCAA tournament has everything that even the casual fan wants to see and puts the rest of the sports world on hold as it gravitates to this phenomenon.

Salary cap not a good fit for small colleges

By Al Willman · Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Following New York Times op-ed columnist Joe Nocera’s talk in Eastern Michigan University’s Student Center on Tuesday, I did some thinking about the plan he put forth to pay student-athletes at major schools and the relatively little he said about schools like EMU, widely known as “mid-major” schools.

New York Times columnist Joe Nocera spoke at EMU on Tuesday.

Nocera proposes salary for some college athletes

By Al Willman · Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Imagine, if you will, a world where college football and men’s basketball players are paid $25,000 a year. In that same world, imagine boosters who, instead of providing athletes cars or money, donate money into a fund, which would help to pay the athletes. New York Times op-ed columnist Joe Nocera already has.

Athletic Director leaves Eastern

By Al Willman · Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Late Wednesday, the Eastern Michigan University Athletic Department announced the departure of Athletic Director Derrick Gragg to become the AD at Tulsa University in Tulsa, Okla.

Rowing team tries to find its ‘groove’

By Raven Gardiner · Wednesday, March 20, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University women’s rowing team traveled to Oak Ridge, Tenn., to compete in the Oak Ridge Cardinal Invitational March 16-17 at Melton Hill Lake.

Athletic Director hired at Tulsa University

By Al Willman · Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Late Wednesday, the Eastern Michigan University athletic department announced the departure of Athletic Director Dr. Derrick Gragg to become the AD at Tulsa University in Tulsa, Okla.

Softball team optimistic

By Al Willman · Sunday, March 17, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University softball team is currently 8-12 and was on the road over the weekend to take part in the Louisville Tournament.

Softball loses four on the road

By Al Willman · Sunday, March 17, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University softball team took on the University of Wisconsin Badgers in the first game of Friday’s doubleheader.

Times columnist to speak about ‘big-time college sports’

By Al Willman · Sunday, March 17, 2013

The question as to whether or not college athletes should be paid has stirred up a great deal of controversy, especially in light of scandals at major universities such as Ohio State University, the University of Miami (Fla.) and other universities around the country.

Junior Desyree Thomas faced a change in role this season.

Women reflect on disappointing season

By Eugene Evans · Sunday, March 17, 2013

In a season marred by injuries, constant lineup changes, the dismissal of senior Miranda Tate and a cut down in weekly practices due to sanctions imposed by the NCAA last spring, the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team’s 8-22 season was not exactly what was expected.

Eastern gymnastics ends 5-win season with loss to CMU

By Raven Gardiner · Sunday, March 17, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University women’s gymnastics team traveled to compete against the Central Michigan University Chippewas on Saturday. The Eagles lost the meet 196.000-193.500.

Two Eagle divers advance to NCAA Championships

By Eugene Evans · Sunday, March 17, 2013

Eastern Michigan University senior Kelly Hendricks and redshirt junior Danielle Hulvey qualified for the NCAA Championships at the Zone C Diving Championships in West Lafayette, Ind., this past weekend.