Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: EMU Athletics/Chloe Smith
Women's Track & Field Places 15 on Academic All-MAC Team
6/1/2016 12:26:00 PM | Women's Track & Field
The Triple Crown Champions continue to find success in the classroom
MAC Release
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — After an incredible outdoor season which included winning the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championship, the Eastern Michigan University women's track and field team placed 15 student-athletes on the Academic All-MAC team, announced today, June 1, by the league office.
Earning the honor for the Eagles was: seniors Aaliyah McKinney (South Bend, Ind. - John Adams) and Maya Carter (Racine, Wis. - Case), sophomores Rebekah Branham (Circleville, Ohio - Circleville), Natalie Cizmas (Clinton Twp., Mich. - Chippewa Valley), and Claire Mesa (Rockford, Ill. - Rockford Lutheran), senior Rebecca Quaintance (White Lake, Mich. - Walled Lake Northern), sophomore Danielle Bentzley (Birmingham, Mich. - Seaholm), seniors Amy Frauhammer (Saline, Mich. - Saline) and Sofie Gallein (Gits, Belgium - University of Leuven), sophomore Jordann McDermitt (Davison, Mich. - Davison), senior Ellie Braidic (Pandora, Ohio - Pandora-Gilboa), juniors Janina Pollatz (Grandville, Mich. - Grand Rapids Christian) and Natalie Uy (Kettering, Ohio - Fairmont), sophomore Dace Dreimane (Ventspils, Latvia - Ventspils Gymnasium No. 1), and junior Megan Pendleton (Lindsey, Ohio - Woodmoore).
The Eagles had a pair of sprinters and hurdlers honored, led by McKinney, who was one of the team's top sprinters throughout the year, regularly running in the 100m and 200m, as well as 4x100m, and 4x400m relays. She was vital in helping the Green and White win the 4x100 title at the MAC Championships with a time of 45.72, in addition to finishing third in both the 100m and 200m with times of 11.71 and 24.26, respectively. Also earning the honor was Carter, who competed in the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles throughout the season. Carter took seventh at the conference championships in the 100m hurdles after clocking in at 14.31, while also winning the 100m hurdles title at the Beach Pacific Coast Invite with a time of 13.94.
The mid-distance squad was also well represented. Branham had a fantastic season, earning First Team All-MAC honors after winning the MAC title in the 800m with a career-best time of 2:10.19. Fellow sophomore Cizmas also found plenty of success throughout the year. Cizmas, who was also a First Team All-MAC honoree, qualified to NCAA Regionals in the 1500m, where she ran a career-best time of 4:19.74. The sophomore was also crowned the 1500m MAC Champion, clocking in at 4:28.38. Adding to the list of mid-distance sophomores, Mesa also earned Academic All-MAC standing, taking part in the 800m and 1500m throughout the year. Her top finish came at the Bronco Classic, where she placed second in the 800m with a time of 2:17.52. Finally, Quaintance earned the award in her final season donning the Green and White. Quaintance posted season best times of 2:16.95 in the 800m and 4:46.79 in the 1500m. Her top finish came at the Bronco Classic, where she took third in the 1500m while also helping the 4x400m relay squad to a third-place finish.
The Eagles distance squad also had four honorees. First up, Bentzley participated in multiple distance evens throughout the year, highlighted by career-best times in the 1500m, 5000m, and 10000m. Her top finish came in the 3000m at the Bronco Classic, where she nabbed the bronze with a time of 10:20.16. Frauhammer also took part in multiple distance events during the season. At the prestigious Mt SAC Relays, Frauhammer finished seventh with a career-best time of 36:00.96, which was also the eighth-best time in the EMU record books. Fellow senior Gallein brought home the honor after an excellent season with the Eagles, including qualification to the upcoming NCAA Championships, June 8-11. Gallein was a Second Team All-MAC honoree after bringing home the silver in the 3000m steeplechase and the 5000m at the MAC Championships. She also finished third in the 3000m steeplechase at the NCAA East Regional with a time of 9:58.61, earning her ticket to Eugene. Rounding out the distance squad is McDermitt, who also qualified to the NCAA Championships in the 5000m. McDermitt, who won the 5000m and 10000m MAC Championship to earn First Team All-MAC honors, also found successs at the NCAA East Regional, where she punched her ticket to the national championships.
Moving to the field events, Eastern had a trio of pole vaulters honored, in addition to a jumper and a thrower. Braidic qualified to the NCAA East Regional in the pole vault after a great season for EMU. Braidic took third at the MAC Championships with an impressive vault of 4.13 meters/ 13 feet 6.5-inches, which put her in third all-time at Eastern. Pollatz also qualified to regionals in the pole vault after posting a season-best mark of 4.10 meters/ 13 feet 5.25-inches at the Jesse Owens Classic. Her mark bumped her to fourth all-time in the EMU record books. Finally, Uy rounds out the trio of pole vaulters. Uy posted a season-best vault of 3.97 meters/ 13 feet 0.25-inches at the Beach Invitational, in addition to finishing eighth at the MAC Championships in the event.
Moving to the jumps, Dreimane also had a fantastic season for the Eagles, regularly competing in the long jump and the triple jump. The sophomore qualified to the NCAA East Regional in both after taking third at the MAC Championships in the triple jump with a mark of 12.71 meters/ 41 feet 8.5-inches. Most impressively, she became the top triple-jumper in EMU history after notching a mark of 12.91 meters/ 42 feet 4.25-inches at regionals. Finally, Pendleton rounds out the list of Eagles receiving the academic honor. One of the team's top throwers, Pendleton finished 15th at the MAC Championships with a mark of 40.34 meters/ 132 feet 4-inches in the discus, while also taking second in the discus and hammer throw at the Bronco Classic.
The Eagles will finish their season in Eugene, Oregon at the upcoming NCAA Championships. The Green and White will be represented in both the 3000m steeplechase and the 5000m.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — After an incredible outdoor season which included winning the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championship, the Eastern Michigan University women's track and field team placed 15 student-athletes on the Academic All-MAC team, announced today, June 1, by the league office.
Earning the honor for the Eagles was: seniors Aaliyah McKinney (South Bend, Ind. - John Adams) and Maya Carter (Racine, Wis. - Case), sophomores Rebekah Branham (Circleville, Ohio - Circleville), Natalie Cizmas (Clinton Twp., Mich. - Chippewa Valley), and Claire Mesa (Rockford, Ill. - Rockford Lutheran), senior Rebecca Quaintance (White Lake, Mich. - Walled Lake Northern), sophomore Danielle Bentzley (Birmingham, Mich. - Seaholm), seniors Amy Frauhammer (Saline, Mich. - Saline) and Sofie Gallein (Gits, Belgium - University of Leuven), sophomore Jordann McDermitt (Davison, Mich. - Davison), senior Ellie Braidic (Pandora, Ohio - Pandora-Gilboa), juniors Janina Pollatz (Grandville, Mich. - Grand Rapids Christian) and Natalie Uy (Kettering, Ohio - Fairmont), sophomore Dace Dreimane (Ventspils, Latvia - Ventspils Gymnasium No. 1), and junior Megan Pendleton (Lindsey, Ohio - Woodmoore).
The Eagles had a pair of sprinters and hurdlers honored, led by McKinney, who was one of the team's top sprinters throughout the year, regularly running in the 100m and 200m, as well as 4x100m, and 4x400m relays. She was vital in helping the Green and White win the 4x100 title at the MAC Championships with a time of 45.72, in addition to finishing third in both the 100m and 200m with times of 11.71 and 24.26, respectively. Also earning the honor was Carter, who competed in the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles throughout the season. Carter took seventh at the conference championships in the 100m hurdles after clocking in at 14.31, while also winning the 100m hurdles title at the Beach Pacific Coast Invite with a time of 13.94.
The mid-distance squad was also well represented. Branham had a fantastic season, earning First Team All-MAC honors after winning the MAC title in the 800m with a career-best time of 2:10.19. Fellow sophomore Cizmas also found plenty of success throughout the year. Cizmas, who was also a First Team All-MAC honoree, qualified to NCAA Regionals in the 1500m, where she ran a career-best time of 4:19.74. The sophomore was also crowned the 1500m MAC Champion, clocking in at 4:28.38. Adding to the list of mid-distance sophomores, Mesa also earned Academic All-MAC standing, taking part in the 800m and 1500m throughout the year. Her top finish came at the Bronco Classic, where she placed second in the 800m with a time of 2:17.52. Finally, Quaintance earned the award in her final season donning the Green and White. Quaintance posted season best times of 2:16.95 in the 800m and 4:46.79 in the 1500m. Her top finish came at the Bronco Classic, where she took third in the 1500m while also helping the 4x400m relay squad to a third-place finish.
The Eagles distance squad also had four honorees. First up, Bentzley participated in multiple distance evens throughout the year, highlighted by career-best times in the 1500m, 5000m, and 10000m. Her top finish came in the 3000m at the Bronco Classic, where she nabbed the bronze with a time of 10:20.16. Frauhammer also took part in multiple distance events during the season. At the prestigious Mt SAC Relays, Frauhammer finished seventh with a career-best time of 36:00.96, which was also the eighth-best time in the EMU record books. Fellow senior Gallein brought home the honor after an excellent season with the Eagles, including qualification to the upcoming NCAA Championships, June 8-11. Gallein was a Second Team All-MAC honoree after bringing home the silver in the 3000m steeplechase and the 5000m at the MAC Championships. She also finished third in the 3000m steeplechase at the NCAA East Regional with a time of 9:58.61, earning her ticket to Eugene. Rounding out the distance squad is McDermitt, who also qualified to the NCAA Championships in the 5000m. McDermitt, who won the 5000m and 10000m MAC Championship to earn First Team All-MAC honors, also found successs at the NCAA East Regional, where she punched her ticket to the national championships.
Moving to the field events, Eastern had a trio of pole vaulters honored, in addition to a jumper and a thrower. Braidic qualified to the NCAA East Regional in the pole vault after a great season for EMU. Braidic took third at the MAC Championships with an impressive vault of 4.13 meters/ 13 feet 6.5-inches, which put her in third all-time at Eastern. Pollatz also qualified to regionals in the pole vault after posting a season-best mark of 4.10 meters/ 13 feet 5.25-inches at the Jesse Owens Classic. Her mark bumped her to fourth all-time in the EMU record books. Finally, Uy rounds out the trio of pole vaulters. Uy posted a season-best vault of 3.97 meters/ 13 feet 0.25-inches at the Beach Invitational, in addition to finishing eighth at the MAC Championships in the event.
Moving to the jumps, Dreimane also had a fantastic season for the Eagles, regularly competing in the long jump and the triple jump. The sophomore qualified to the NCAA East Regional in both after taking third at the MAC Championships in the triple jump with a mark of 12.71 meters/ 41 feet 8.5-inches. Most impressively, she became the top triple-jumper in EMU history after notching a mark of 12.91 meters/ 42 feet 4.25-inches at regionals. Finally, Pendleton rounds out the list of Eagles receiving the academic honor. One of the team's top throwers, Pendleton finished 15th at the MAC Championships with a mark of 40.34 meters/ 132 feet 4-inches in the discus, while also taking second in the discus and hammer throw at the Bronco Classic.
The Eagles will finish their season in Eugene, Oregon at the upcoming NCAA Championships. The Green and White will be represented in both the 3000m steeplechase and the 5000m.
2015-16 Outdoor Women's Track and Field Academic All-MAC Team
Akron (11)
Megan Dorsnisch, Senior, 3.332, Marketing Management
Michalla Gordon, Junior, 3.772, Nursing
Caroline Hasse, Senior, 3.960, Psychology
Daniella Johnson, Junior, 3.239, Accounting
Claudia Garcia Jou, Senior, 4.00, Physical Education
Sarah Kupniewski, Junior, 3.572, Art and Graphic Design
Elizabeth Mosier, Sophomore, 3.409, Dietetics
Ana Martin-Sacristan, Senior, 3.355, Middle Level Education
Jackie Siefring, Sophomore, 3.822, Biomedical Engineering
Tara Snipes, Junior, 3.923, Information Systems Management
Becky Szabo, Junior, 3.404, Chemical Engineering
Ball State (9)
Olivia Ashba, Junior, 3.612, Psychological Science
Jessica Bryzek, Sophomore, 3.681, Biology
Michaela Hull, Senior, 3.853, Exercise Science
Becca Kropf, Senior, 3.355, Dietetics
Marie Lumpkin, Senior, 3.689, Elementary Education
Ericka Rinehart, Junior, 3.590, Nursing
Gabby Sims, Sophomore, 3.853, Elementary Education
Kassidy Swenson, Junior, 3.489, Speech Language Pathology
Anna-Kay West, Sophomore, 3.449, Chemistry
Bowling Green (17)
Andrea Alt, Senior, 3.285, Mathematics
Cassandra Boyle, Sophomore, 3.500, Medical Technology
Rachel Durbin, Junior, 3.386, Business
Gabrielle Edwards, Junior, 3.452, Neuroscience
Allison Francis, Junior, 3.795, History
Aliyah Gustafson, Junior, 3.931, Exercise Science
Brianna Johnson, Junior, 3.200, Health Science
Kera Lamotte, Senior, 3.428, Psychology
Elena Lancioni, Sophomore, 3.885, Exercise Science
Mackenzie McMillin, Senior, 3.733, Biology
Becca Rae, Senior, 3.821, Communication Disorders
Taylor Rambo, Senior, 3.280, Exercise Science
Jasmine Redman, Senior, 3.833, Human Movement and Sport Leisure Studies
Rebecca Schott, Junior, 3.895, Health Science
Cortisha Short, Sophomore, 3.327, Psychology
Rachel Walny, Sophomore, 4.000, Exercise Science
Makenzie Wheat, Junior, 3.402, Graphic Design
Buffalo (7)
Corinne Brichard, Junior, 3.506, Biological Sciences
Meagan Hopkins, Junior, 3.237, Chemistry & Environmental Engineering
McKenzie Kuehlewind, Sophomore, 3.51, Biomedical Sciences
Christine Lyttle, Junior, 3.934, Political Science
Amy Shaw, Junior, 3.667, Graphic Design/Communication
Jennifer Thill, Junior, 3.518, Occupational Science
Melinda Wheeler, Junior, 3.296, Exercise Science
Central Michigan (8)
Kylee Dobbelaere, Junior, 3.46, Sport Management
Megan O'Neil, Sophomore, 3.66, Dietetics
Rebekah Petty, Sophomore, 3.91, Exercise Science - Kinesiology
Kelsey Ross, Junior, 3.22, Biology
Kelly Schubert, Junior, 3.94, Exercise Science - Kinesiology
DeJanae Terry, Senior, 3.21, Undeclared
Amber Wagner, Sophomore, 3.36, Management
Kyla Walton, Sophomore, 3.56, Biomedical Sciences
Eastern Michigan (15)
Danielle Bentzley, Sophomore, 3.71, Elementary Education
Ellie Braidic, Senior, 3.70, Psychology
Rebekah Branham, Sophomore, 3.61, Sports Management
Maya Carter, Senior, 3.34, Marketing
Natalie Cizmas, Sophomore, 3.68, Exercise Science
Dace Dreimane, Sophomore, 3.62, Computer Science
Amy Frauhammer, Senior, 3.71, Psychology
Sofie Gallein, Senior, 3.80, Individualized Studies
Jordann McDermitt, Sophomore, 4.00, Exercise Science
Aaliyah McKinney, Senior, 3.47, Communication
Claire Mesa, Sophomore, 3.35, Exercise Science
Megan Pendleton, Junior, 3.42, Environmental Science and Society
Janina Pollatz, Junior, 3.93, Electronic Media and Film
Rebecca Quaintance, Senior, 3.58, Accounting
Natalie Uy, Junior, 3.90, Communication and Spanish
Kent State (19)
Kristen Bergmeyer, Junior, 3.315, Nursing
Maya Brown, Senior, 3.333, Music
Ada Nicholson-Burley, Junior, 3.855, Integrated Math
Dior Delophont, Senior, 3.841, Fashion Design
Roseanne Erickson, Senior, 3.968, Exercise Science
Morgan Estes, Junior, 3.502, Exercise Science
Taylor Farquhar, Senior, 3.782, Exercise Science
Olivia Gaus, Junior, 3.691, Exercise Science
Chelsea Laury, Junior, 3.588, Special Education
Jackie Leppelmeier, Senior, 3.803, Nursing
Rebecca Leppelmeier, Junior, 3.964, Computer Science
Anna Lombardo, Junior, 3.832, Exercise Science
Jai'Lyn Mosley, Sophomore, 3.532, Exercise Science/Pre-Physical Therapy
Jorian Ordway, Junior, 3.921, Exercise Science
Lauren Pannell, Junior, 3.408, Human Development and Family Studies
Caroline Sauers, Junior, 3.638, Finance
Jessie Slingluff, Senior, 3.559, Early Childhood Education
Samantha Tollerud, Sophomore, 4.0, Exercise Science
Taylor Wickey, Senior, 3.666, Speech Pathology & Audiology
Miami (16)
Jess Baker, Senior, 3.41, Economics
Megan Beaver, Senior, 3.40, Health Promotion
Laura Bess, Senior, 3.59, Bio-Engineering
Tessa Brooks, Junior, 3.46, Engineering
Ashley Frahm, Junior, 3.58, Professional Writing
Lauren Hoover, Senior, 3.76, Nutrition
Alexus Jimson-Miller, Junior, 3.78, Health Promotion
Briah Owens, Junior, 3.30, Kinesiology
Brenna Poulsen, Senior, 3.46, Economics
Morgan Rice, Sophomore, 3.67, Biology & Premedical Studies
Maria Scavuzzo, Sophomore, 3.22, Biochemistry
Sarah Starrett, Sophomore, 3.23, Psychology
Martha Szekely, Junior, 3.80, Psychology
Hope Turner, Junior, 3.85, Integrated English/Language Arts Education
Alesha Vovk, Sophomore, 3.63, Kinesiology
Kathie Wollney, Senior, 3.75, Kinesiology
Northern Illinois (7)
Kelsey Hildreth, Sophomore, 4.00, Nutrition
Lorena Martin, Sophomore, 3.37, Marketing
Alison Olson, Senior, 3.31, Corporate and Organizational Communication
Carly Pederson, Junior, 3.91, Nursing
Hannah Savage, Senior, 3.85, Biological Sciences
Ashley Sicard, Sophomore, 3.24, Rehabilitation Services
Logan Tillmon, Junior, 3.50, Speech Language Pathology & Audiology
Ohio (10)
Ashlee Bilhimer, Senior, 3.45, Child and Family Studies
Cassidy Cleland, Sophomore, 3.942, Political Science/Law Justice and Culture
Chanda Cuckler, Senior, 3.723, Early Childhood
Jennifer Fockler, Sophomore, 3.707, Early Childhood/Coaching Education
Courtney Guiley, Sophomore, 3.972, Pre-Med/Biology
Kaitlyn Logan, Sophomore, 3.453, Pre-Med/Biology
Olivia Mayfield Junior, 3.722, Graphic Design
Emma Ryan, Junior, 3.568, Nursing
Hayley Stegemiller, Senior, 3.911, Communications Sciences and Disorders
Tessa Weigand, Senior, 3.804, Accounting
Toledo (12)
Stephanie Barlow, Sophomore, 3.759, Elementary Education
Akili Barnes, Senior, 3.322, Early Childhood Education
Megan Gaysunas, Senior, 3.851, Marketing
Julia Mendiola, Sophomore, 3.920, Pre-Med
Madeline Pacella, Junior, 4.000, Criminal Justice
Delainey Phelps, Sophomore, 3.636, Nursing
Julia Pusateri, Senior, 3.744, Individualized Studies and Public Health
Hannah Saba, Junior, 3.696, Biology
Priscilla Timmons, Senior, 3.603, Business
Brooke Tullis, Senior, 3.355, Nursing
Liz Weiler, Senior, 3.660, Marketing and Professional Sales
Emily Wyrick, Junior, 3.706, Nursing
Western Michigan (12)
Davonne Boldon, Sophomore, 3.23, Interdisciplinary Health Services
Hanne Christensen, Sophomore, 3.54, English
Kara Craig, Junior, 3.72, Advertising & Promotion
Savannah Dugan, Sophomore, 3.92, Occupational Therapy
Reagan Engstrom, Senior, 3.36, Nursing
Raychel Figurski, Senior, 3.84, Secondary Education; Mathematics
Alex Ferguson, Senior, 3.36, Exercise Science
Artia Gunn, Senior, 3.28, Public Relations
Keyera Lige, Junior, 3.26, Advertising and Promotion
Amy Littlefield, Junior, 3.26, Social Work
Daya Wagh, Junior, 3.26, Exercise Science
Allison Wilson, Sophomore, 3.39, Elementary Education
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Women's Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Hurdles
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Throws
/ Women's Track & Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Multis/Pole Vault
/ Women's Track & FieldNew Outdoor Track & Field Facility Ribbon Cutting
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