Eastern Illinois University Athletics

2013 ... Saw action in all eight contests as redshirt freshman... her four steals-at-tackle led the squad during the season... secured a try in three games... twice nabbed 12 solo stops and three assisted tackles... earned two steals at Kentucky... EIU Top 25:  Tied for 19th in single-season numbers with 52 solo tackles.

HIGH SCHOOL ... Three-sport athlete in basketball, track and cross country at Jersey Community HS for coaches Terri Taake, Brian Symes and Harold Landon... earned nine total letters over her prep career... set school records in the 300-Meter hurdle, triple jump and ran the third leg of the 4x100-Relay, which also set a school mark... won the 110% award as a member of the basketball unit... multiple all-tourney, all-star and all-conference team selections as well... won the most improved, most outstanding performer and 100% plus award in track.

PERSONAL ... Her No. 1 sports highlight was "breaking the JCHS 300-Meter hurdle record at the conference meet during my sophomore year"... credits coach Terri Taake, for having the biggest influence on her career, "because she has always been there for me through every hard time, mistake and great moment"... she's related to the former EIU rugby great, Kate Taake... daughter of Anthony & Maria Thornton... plans to major in park rec.

OFF THE PITCH WITH EMALIE ... 'Emmie' chose EIU "because EIU is its own place, no one knows you so you can be yourself... great campus and I was pushed to go to EIU from my godmother, and I can't say no to her"... feels EIU's other advantages include "an amazing campus... it is on two big blocks not really connected to the town so you can get to class with no problems and enjoy your time because of the cool campus"... enjoys playing basketball, riding her bike in any type of weather and making people laugh... driving a 2001 Buick... enjoys dining on pizza and mac 'n cheese... since coming to EIU she has learned to "make time for everyone and everything... or else you'll miss out"... her advice to a younger rugby player is "if you have never played it before it doesn't matter... it's a new experience and everyone here is willing to help you... give it a chance and give EIU a chance"... her favorite quote comes from Rikki Rogers -- "strength doesn't come from what you can do, it comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't"... her goals while at EIU include "graduating and proving to people I am different."