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The Eastern Echo Monday, June 29, 2026 | Print Archive
The Eastern Echo

Sports

Golf.

EMU ties for fourth at inaugural GameAbove Invitational

By Ruby Brannon · Wednesday, March 11, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University women’s golf team, ranked No. 30, delivered a historic performance at the inaugural GameAbove Golf Invitational, finishing in a tie for fourth place against a field featuring several of the nation’s top-ranked programs. Co-hosting the event at the prestigious Rolling Hills Country Club, the Eagles recorded their sixth-best 54-hole score in program history and once again finished ahead of No. 11-ranked UCLA.

Two women's lacrosse players guard goal while a member of the opposing team stands off to the side.

Record-breaking resilience: Porter’s 21 saves highlight EMU’s hard-fought battle at Vanderbilt

By Ruby Brannon · Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Despite a career-defining and record-breaking performance from junior goalkeeper Maddy Porter, the Eastern Michigan University lacrosse team fell to Vanderbilt University with a final score of 11-8 on March 4, 2026. The game was highlighted by individual milestones, including Porter’s national-leading 21 saves and Tracy Grollman becoming the program's all-time assists leader.

Mariana Vega crouches on golf course to think while gazing off into the distance.

Eagle Sports Tips and Tales | March 10-16

By Darrell Justice · Monday, March 9, 2026

Eastern Michigan University Athletics is heading into a busy week from March 10-16, 2026, with multiple teams competing in conference matchups, invitationals and postseason events. From the NCAA Zone C Diving Championships in Ypsilanti to key Mid-American Conference contests, Eagles fans have several opportunities to follow the action across a variety of sports.

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Tough road trip: Eagles struggle in MAC opening series at Miami

By Ruby Brannon · Monday, March 9, 2026

Eastern Michigan University opened Mid-American Conference play with a difficult three-game series against the defending league champions, Miami (OH) University. Despite significant individual milestones and a record-breaking strikeout performance from the pitching staff, the Eagles suffered a series sweep on the road and fell to 0-3 in conference play.

Basketball player from opposing team stands in front of Gregory Lawson II with back facing the camera. Lawson holds the basketball and leans around the player.

Eagle Watch | Feb. 23 – March 6

By Ruby Brannon · Monday, March 9, 2026

From Emerson Henry’s five-goal lacrosse comeback and Sisi Eleko’s 50th career double-double to Kyrie Lowe’s fifth all-around gymnastics title, Eastern Michigan University athletes elevated their teams with historic and impactful achievements between late February and early March.

Addison Patterson vs Miami University

Eagles’ late rally stalls in Buffalo; EMU falls 72-67

By Ruby Brannon · Monday, March 9, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team’s late-game surge fell just short on Tuesday night, resulting in a 72-67 loss to the University at Buffalo. Despite a valiant second-half effort where the Eagles outscored the Bulls by double digits, they were unable to overcome a significant halftime deficit in their final road game of the regular season.

Lacrosse player holds a lacrosse stick and looks off into the distance.

Records shattered at Scicluna Field: Eagles fall to Bearcats in nonconference finale

By Ruby Brannon · Monday, March 9, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University lacrosse team concluded its nonconference schedule with a 16-9 loss to the University of Cincinnati on March 8, 2026, at Scicluna Field. Despite the defeat, the game was defined by several historic individual performances, including Tracy Grollman tying the program’s single-game assist record and Maddy Porter matching the record for caused turnovers.

Eastern Michigan Track at UofM Invitational feb 17th

Eagles take flight in Mount Pleasant: EMU men secure third, women take eighth at MAC Indoor Championships

By Ruby Brannon · Wednesday, March 4, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University track and field programs concluded the 2026 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Indoor Championships with a series of standout individual performances and podium finishes. Hosted by Central Michigan University at the Jack Skoog Track on Feb. 27-28, the meet saw the EMU men’s team secure a third-place finish with 98 points, while the women’s team placed eighth with 40 points. The weekend was highlighted by a double-gold performance from Kian Wiles, individual titles from Mariah Taylor and Gabe Oliveira, and the crowning of Sam Vesperman as the MAC Co-Indoor Men’s Freshman Performer of the Year.

Player number 48 stands with back facing camera in the background. Player number 47 squats with his hands on his knees in the foreground of the baseball diamond.

Notre Dame overpowers Eastern Michigan in 11-1 midweek victory

By Ruby Brannon · Tuesday, March 3, 2026

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team traveled to South Bend, Indiana, for a non-conference matchup against the University of Notre Dame. Although the Eagles managed to secure an early 1-0 lead in the third inning, they were unable to withstand a dominant offensive surge from the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame responded with seven runs in the bottom of the third and continued to add insurance runs throughout the game, resulting in an 11-1 victory for the home team in eight innings. Despite the loss, several Eastern Michigan players reached significant personal milestones and extended impressive hitting streaks.

EMU gymnast, Abby Brushwood, doing the splits in the air.

Eagles deliver historic performances in narrow home defeat

By Ruby Brannon · Tuesday, March 3, 2026

On Feb. 27, 2026, the Eastern Michigan University gymnastics team hosted a highly competitive meet in Ypsilanti, achieving season-best scores on the uneven bars and floor exercise. Despite a career-matching performance from Kyrie Lowe to claim the all-around title, the Eagles narrowly finished second behind Western Michigan by a margin of just 0.075 points.

EMU swim and dive 6

Splash zone: Eastern Michigan divers and swimmers leave their mark on MAC

By Ruby Brannon · Tuesday, March 3, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University swim and dive programs concluded their 2026 Mid-American Conference Championships with a sixth-place finish, marked by several program top-10 performances and a major individual award. Freshman Rose Kendrick headlined the final day of competition as she was named the MAC Freshman Diver of the Year, while teammates Nina LaRosa and Marlee Christie etched their names deeper into the school’s record books.

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Eagles split four-game set with SIUE behind power surge and strong pitching

By Ruby Brannon · Tuesday, March 3, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University baseball team earned a 2-2 series split against the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougars at Simmons Baseball Complex. The Eagles showed explosive offense and improved pitching throughout the weekend. Behind multiple home runs, dominant starting performances, and key bullpen efforts, the Eagles moved to 4-8 on the season and gained momentum heading into their matchup with University of Notre Dame.

Latest Podcast

Eastern Michigan University’s “Enlighten U” has been ranked the top mental health podcast in Michigan by FeedSpot, a platform that compiles blogs, podcasts, YouTube channels, newsletters and other sites in one location.

“Enlighten U” is a podcast geared toward students who are experiencing mental health challenges. Melissa Thrasher, EMU's executive director of media relations and social media, and Lolita Cummings, an EMU public relations professor, serve as the co-hosts. Each episode is released around the 15th of every month and features a student or alum and a subject-matter professional.

Lolita Cummings in an interview with The Echo said that this is not the first time the No. 1 mental health podcast in Michigan has been awarded to "Enlighten U."

"We've been the No. 1 mental health podcast in Michigan from the very beginning," Cummings said. "I think it's an indicator of the fact that what we are trying to do, we are doing well, and that is important."

At the start of each "Enlighten U" episode, Cummings and Thrasher state that the "Enlighten U" podcast is an award-winning show.

"A couple of years ago, I won the best in PR for good campaign from Public Relations Society of America for the marketing and promotions program, because it's important that we get this, the word, out to everyone and about the podcast," Cummings said.

Thrasher and Cummings are both extremely proud of their podcast, but these awards and recognitions are not why they continue with it.

It is important to Cummings that she serves all of her students' needs. She noticed that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of many of her students was declining. When the students came back after the pandemic, Cummings noticed that her students' mental health was even worse. Due to this, she began brainstorming with one of her students about how she could help.

"She [the student] said to me, 'We watched a lot of podcasts while we were off.' So I said, 'Okay, I don't know anything about podcasts, but I will meet you all where you are.' So that's where the idea came from," Cummings said. "I am able to not just serve their academic needs, but I'm also able to serve their mental health needs. And to get the feedback from them, that is really helping, and is everything to me because the students are the ones who tell us what issues are impacting the most. Those are the issues that we bring to the table at 'Enlighten U.'"

Cummings encourages students to not only watch and listen to "Enlighten U" but to also spread the word about the podcast.

"One of the things we want to do is get the word out about this podcast to as many people as possible, across the nation, across the world," she said. "The need is not limited to our campus — the need is universal; it is worldwide. My goal at this point is obviously to continue to produce quality shows that reflect the mental health challenges that students are facing, but also get it out to wider audiences so we can help more people."

For those who are interested in engaging with "Enlighten U," the podcast can be found on YouTube and Spotify.

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