Recap courtesy of Central Michigan Athletic Communications
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Central Michigan Gymnastics used an impressive floor exercise performance to capture its third Mid-American Conference championship in the last four years and conference-best 19th all-time title before 1,145 fans on Saturday at McGuirk Arena.
The host Chippewas also won their fourth straight MAC championship when hosting the event (2004, 2011, 2018 and now 2025).
Central Michigan posted a 195.725 team score and won two individual events on the day. Eastern Michigan finished second with a 195.525 and Kent State third at 195.300.
CMU made a total team effort, with everyone in the maroon and gold chipping in. Senior Hannah Appleget won the all-around competition with a career-high tying 39.250 score and finished in third place in the floor exercise (9.900), MAC Gymnast of the Year junior Luciana Alvarado-Reid won the floor exercise with a career-high tying 9.925, senior Lia Kmieciak finished in second place in both vault (9.850) and bars (9.825), sophomore Zoie Pelfrey contributed a second-place finish with a career-high performance on the beam (9.850), and Zoe Zimmerman took third in floor (9.900).
"It was a team event, we knew it was going to be about the team today," said Central Michigan head coach Christine MacDonald, who won her third MAC championship at the helm of the program. "That's what you saw. We had our highs and lows, but we never let our energy die. We just continued to come back, routine after routine. It's a testament to being in the moment and that's something we've preached all year long."
Central Michigan entered its last rotation and final event in third place, but the Chippewas regrouped and tallied a 49.425 team floor score to take control and claim the title.
Quinn Skrupa went first and gave the Chippewas momentum with a 9.850, Zimmerman and Appleget followed with 9.900s, Avah Bootz and Ava Wellmeier both totaled 9.850s, then Alvarado-Reid closed down the event with the best score in any event on the day, a 9.925.
"We got together after our third rotation and we just reset as a team," MacDonald said. "We reminded everyone that it's a team event, a team day, and to go out there and leave it all out on the floor. They really just had fun. Let's do CMU Gymnastics and whatever happens, we're going to walk out of here with our heads held high. That's what happened. It was electric."
"Our fans were electric today. It was amazing energy all day long."
In the closing ceremony, Alvarado-Reid was named the MAC Gymnast of the Year. Her family traveled all the way from Costa Rica to watch her perform today. She didn't have her best day as she placed sixth in the all-around competition, but she brought down the house with a dominating floor exercise routine.
"This is greatest day of my life," Alvarado-Reid said. "I feel like we had the best performance we've had all year. We've worked so hard and that hard work paid off. It was truly a great day for us."
Appleget, a senior, transferred to Central Michigan from Lindenwood prior to the season. She saved her best for last as she captured the all-around title.
"I just wanted to go out and give a solid performance today and I never considered becoming and all-around champion," Appleget said. "This is a dream come true and the best way I could've gone out in my career. Coming into the year, I had really high hopes, but this has exceeded every expectation that I had this year. I wanted this to be the happiest year of college overall and I can say with full confidence that it was. I had one goal this year and that was to cherish, cherish all the moments and memories. That's what made it such a special experience."
It was sweet redemption for Kmieciak, who was competing in her first MAC Championship in two years after suffering a season-ending injury last season. She had two key second place performances on the day in both vault and bars.
"It feels so amazing and to do it at home was extra special," Kmieciak said. "I've been looking for that performance all year and I'm so grateful that it was at home at MACs for my senior year."
Central Michigan began the event on vault. The Chippewas were led by Kmieciak, who registered a 9.850. Avah Bootz and Samantha Shannon both chipped in 9.800s. Next up was uneven bars, where two Chippewas including Shannon and Alvarado-Reid both scored a 9.800. Balance beam was next Appleget led the way with a 9.800. That set up CMU's floor performance.
Six seniors closed out their careers as champions including Appleget, Bootz, Alexis Garcia, Kmieciak, Ariana Light, and Quinn Skrupa.
Appleget, Alvarado-Reid, Kmieciak, Pelfrey and Zimmerman were named to the All-MAC Tournament team.
MacDonald was reflective when speaking about her program claiming its third title in the last four years and 19th all-time title.
"It speaks volumes for the program and the commitment that our student-athletes have given to this university and itself." MacDonald said. "It's an amazing testament to this whole staff and team. It's a team effort, it's all coaches, all athletes, all athletic support staff, administration. It really takes the whole department to make something like this happen, year-in, year-out."
Next up for Central Michigan, the Chippewas will await NCAA Regional invitations.
The full list of 2025 MAC Gymnastics Tournament Award winners can be found below:
2025 MAC Gymnastics Championship Event Winners
Vault: Suki Pfister, Ball State (9.900)
Uneven Bars: Ashley Szymanski, Ball State (9.875)
Beam: Heidi Schultz, Kent State (9.875)
Floor: Luciana Alvarado-Reid, Central Michigan (9.925)
All-Around: Hannah Appleget, Central Michigan (39.250)
2025 MAC Gymnastics All-Tournament Team
Suki Pfister, Graduate Student, Ball State
Ashley Szymanski, Sophomore, Ball State
Hannah Appleget, Senior, Central Michigan
Luciana Alvarado-Reid, Junior, Central Michigan
Lia Kmieciak, Senior, Central Michigan
Zoie Pelfrey, Sophomore, Central Michigan
Zoe Zimmerman, Freshman, Central Michigan
Raisa Boris, Senior, Eastern Michigan
Abby Brushwood, Sophomore, Eastern Michigan
Alyssa Guns, Senior, Kent State
Gabby Riley, Sophomore, Kent State
Heidi Schultz, Junior, Kent State
