Gymnastics Hosting Golden Girls Classic Saturday, Jan. 17

Gymnastics vs. Golden Girls Classic (NIU, Brockport)
Date	Saturday, Jan. 17 \| 4 p.m.
Venue	George Gervin GameAbove Center \| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Media Guide (Coming Soon!)
Watch \| Stats	ESPN+ \| Live Stats
Follow Us On X	@EMUGym \| @EMUAthletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The home opener arrives with the Golden Girls Classic, as Eastern hosts Northern Illinois Gymnastics and SUNY Brockport Gymnastics Saturday, Jan. 17, at 4 p.m. ET inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.

ON AIR
The Golden Girls Classic streams on ESPN+ with Brent Balbinot and Anna Grace McCullough on the call. Admission is free for fans.

QUICK TOUCHES
» Eastern enters the 2026 season in its 50th year as a varsity gymnastics program after launching in 1976.
» EMU holds an all-time overall record of 362-348-2.
» Eastern is entering the ninth year of the Head Coach Katie Minasola era. EMU posted a 6-8 (2-5 MAC) record in 2025.
» Finished as the MAC Championship Runner-Up in 2025 with a team score of 195.525.
» EMU MAC gymnasts to watch are senior Kyrie Lowe and sophomore Keeley Kohler.
» This season marks the final Mid-American Conference meeting with Northern Illinois before the Huskies move to the Mountain West Conference next year.
» Freshman Georgie Slack is believed to be the first gymnast in EMU history to be from Europe.
» EMU is 74-103-1 against MAC opponents and a 10-13 season opener record from 2003.
» Eastern and Northern Illinois have met 24 times since March 15, 2003, with Eastern holding a 10-14 record in the series.
» Eastern owns a 7-4 home record and a 3-10 road mark against NIU since 2003.
» The most recent meeting came Feb. 2, 2025, in DeKalb and was decided by just .075.
» From available records dating back to 2003, Eastern is 70-44 at home and posted a 6-2 home record in 2025.
» From available records dating back to 2003, Eastern holds a 12-11 record in home openers, including a 194.925-193.100 win over Bowling Green on Jan. 12, 2025.
» Analiah Solorio set a new career high on beam with a 9.850 at Bowling Green, topping her previous best of 9.775.
» Jackie Patterson matched her career best on beam with a 9.875 in her first competition since the 2024 season.
» Eastern swept Bowling Green with first-place finishes on every event and the all-around, capped by Kyrie Lowe's 38.775 all-around win.

GET TO KNOW THE BROADCASTER
Former Eagle Anna Grace McCullough competed from 2021-24 and closed her career as one of the program's steady leaders on and off the floor. She earned Academic All-MAC honors three straight years from 2022-24. After missing time due to injury, the Birmingham, Ala., native returned during her final season and appeared in eight meets, highlighted by a season-high 9.850 on floor at the Bowling Green Quad Meet on Feb. 11, 2024. Her leadership and teammate-first approach earned her the EMU Gymnastics Teammate of the Year honor along with recognition as a Julia Lombardi Leadership Award recipient at the 2023 Ypsi's Award Show. McCullough graduated April 27, 2024 with a 3.88 cumulative GPA in exercise science.

IT'S OUR BIRTHDAY!
As EMU gymnastics marks its 50th varsity season in 2026, the program stands among the longest-running in the Mid-American Conference after launching in 1976 and competing when the MAC began sponsoring women's gymnastics in 1981. The Kent State gymnastics program began in 1959, making it among the earliest in the nation and within the league. Northern Illinois began its gymnastics program in 1978. Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Ball State, and Bowling Green all competed as MAC members when the conference first sponsored the sport in 1981.

GOODBYE OLD FRIEND
This season marks the final Mid-American Conference meeting with Northern Illinois University before the program moves to the Mountain West Conference next year.

SERIES HISTORY VS NIU
Eastern and Northern Illinois have met 24 times since March 15, 2003. Eastern holds a 10-14 record in the all-time series, including a 7-4 mark at home and a 3-10 record on the road. The most recent meeting came Feb. 2, 2025, in DeKalb, where the teams were separated by just .075. The series has featured multiple close finishes, including Eastern's largest win on Jan. 28, 2024, and its narrowest victory on Feb. 19, 2021.

LAST MEETING VS NIU
The most recent meeting with Northern Illinois University Gymnastics came Feb. 2, 2025, in DeKalb and ended in one of the closest finishes of the series. Eastern initially appeared to secure a 193.300-193.275 win before an NIU inquiry added .10 to the Huskies' total, flipping the result to a 193.375-193.300 loss. Kyrie Lowe delivered a standout performance, winning the all-around with a career-best 38.850 while also taking first on bars. Abby Brushwood claimed the floor title with a 9.850, as Eastern posted a 48.825 on floor to take a narrow lead heading into the final rotation. The meet ultimately came down to the inquiry, marking a razor-thin finish in the final MAC matchup between the two programs.

NEW FOE, WHO DIS?
This week's meet marks the first-ever competition between Eastern and the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles. Brockport represents the State University of New York at Brockport and fields its women's gymnastics team as an NCAA Division III program that competes in the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) level. The Golden Eagles are led by head coach Dr. René Lyst, who oversees a deep and experienced roster that includes athletes from across the country and abroad.

EASTERN VS. THE MAC
From available records dating back to 2003, Eastern owns a 75-103-1 record in regular-season MAC meets.

HOME COOKIN'
According to available records dating back to 2003, Eastern has been strong at home, with a 70-44 regular-season record. Eastern posted a 6-2 record at home during the 2025 season. Eastern will also host the Mid-American Conference Championship next season.

HOME PERFECTION
From available records dating back to 2003, Eastern last completed an undefeated home season in 2015 and followed it with another unbeaten home campaign in 2016.

HOME OPENERS
From available records dating back to 2003, Eastern holds a 12-11 record in home openers. The most recent home opener came Jan. 12, 2025, when Eastern topped Bowling Green, 194.925-193.100, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center to open the season. The win marked Eastern's first season-opening victory since 2021 and featured nine personal bests, led by Raisa Boris' 39.075 all-around score.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND
The Golden Girls Classic returns for its second annual edition, featuring a full-meet theme inspired by The Golden Girls. Each event brings a character to life inside the arena. Vault features a life-size Dorothy cutout. Bars highlight Rose. Beam showcases Sophia. Floor closes with Blanche. Fans receive themed stickers with a playful "Thank you for being a fan" message, tying the night together from start to finish. Fans can also enter for a chance to win a free leotard as part of the meet-day giveaway.

LAST MEET RECAP
SOLORIO RAISES THE BEAM
Analiah Solorio delivered a career-best performance on beam at Bowling Green, posting a 9.850 to set a new personal high. The score topped her previous best of 9.775, which she earned at home during the Feb. 27, 2025, meet against Western Michigan and Wilberforce.

FRESH FACES, FIRST SCORES
Four newcomers made their collegiate debuts, each contributing early scores across multiple events. Kendall Landry opened her career on vault with a 9.725. Georgie Slack competed on two events, earning a 9.650 on vault and a 9.450 on bars. Savanna Dunwoody debuted with a 9.725 on vault and added a 9.600 on floor. Macy Nihart rounded out the group with a 9.600 on beam and a 9.475 on floor.

PICKING WHERE SHE LEFT OFF
Jackie Patterson matched her career best on beam with a 9.875 at Bowling Green, tying the mark she first posted Jan. 13, 2024, at Minnesota. The routine marked her first competition since the start of the 2024 season.

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER
Eastern swept the Falcons across all five scoring areas with first-place finishes on every event and the all-around. Gwen Cantu claimed her first career vault win with a 9.775. Jackie Patterson led beam with a 9.875 and tied for first on floor alongside Abby Brushwood, who posted a 9.750. Keeley Kohler earned the top spot on bars with a 9.775. Kyrie Lowe capped the meet by winning the all-around with a 38.775.

PREVIOUSLY IN THE 2026 SEASON NOTES
IN THE RANKINGS
Eastern ranked 50th nationally at the conclusion of the 2025 season (Road To Nationals). The highest EMU has been ranked in program history (started tracking in 1998) was the 2016 team, which ranked 17th in the nation.

               NATIONAL RANKINGS (MAC ONLY):
               40. Central Michigan
               44. Kent State
               45. Ball State
               47. Western Michigan
               50. Eastern Michigan
               56. Northern Illinois
               59. Bowling Green

MAC GYMNASTS TO WATCH
» Kyrie Lowe and Keeley Kohler were named to the 2026 MAC Gymnasts to Watch list.
» Lowe returns as one of the league's top bars performers after competing in 11 meets during the 2025 season with four first-place finishes on bars and two all-around wins.
» Lowe ranked fifth in the MAC on bars in 2025 and recorded a career-best 9.900 against Ball State on March 14.
» As a junior in 2024, Lowe competed in 12 meets and posted eight scores of 9.800 or higher, contributing to a season-best vault total at Kent State on March 3.
» Kohler earned recognition following a strong sophomore campaign, appearing in 11 meets during the 2025 season.
» Kohler posted a season-high 9.850 on bars against Ball State, March 14, establishing herself as a consistent contributor in the lineup.

PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATIONS
(First Place Votes)
1. Central Michigan – 33 points (3)
2. Kent State – 31 points (3)
T3. Ball State – 23 points (1)
T3. Eastern Michigan – 23 points
5. Western Michigan – 19 points
6. Bowling Green – 12 points
7. Northern Illinois – 6 points

MAC Tournament Champion: Central Michigan (3), Kent State (3), Western Michigan (1)

LOOKING BACK • 2025 SEASON
» EMU finished with an 6-8 overall record for the 2025 season with a 2-5 mark in MAC duals.
»MAC Championship Runner-Up finish with a team score of 195.525, the second-best team total of the season.
» Season-best vault score of 48.925 recorded at the MAC Championships.
» The team posted a 49.300 floor score at the MAC Championships, ranking as the top floor score of the season and the seventh-best floor mark in program history.
» Raisa Boris placed second in the all-around at MACs with a 39.075 and earned First Team All-MAC honors.
» Abby Brushwood tied for second on floor at MACs with a career-high 9.900.
» Kyrie Lowe placed third in the all-around at the MAC Championships with a 38.950.
» Three All-MAC selections for the first time since 2015.
» Eight Eagles earned Academic All-MAC honors in 2025.
» Boris competed in all-around at NCAA Regionals for the second straight season.
»Brushwood became the first EMU gymnast on floor at NCAA Regionals since 2021.

HELLO! MY NAME IS...
»The incoming class includes freshmen Savanna Dunwoody, Adysen Mazzoni, Macy Nihart, and Georgie Slack, along with transfer Kendall Landry from Minnesota.
» As a group, the class brings three Level 9 championships, six state titles, one Level 10 championship, seven national qualifiers, and one national champion.
»Macy Nihart enters with one of the strongest resumes in the class after winning Level 10 Michigan State titles on vault, bars, floor twice, and all-around, along with two national qualifier appearances.
»Kendall Landry brings Division I experience after competing two seasons at Minnesota, helping the Gophers finish second in the Big Ten in 2024 and third in 2025, while also earning Academic All-Big Ten honors.
»Savanna Dunwoody qualified for nationals five times at the club level and helped her team capture a national title during her senior season.
»Adysen Mazzoni claimed a Level 9 Eastern Nationals title and earned a spot at Development Program camp after four years of training at LaFleur's Gymnastics.
»Georgie Slack is believed to be the first international gymnast in program history, joining from Uttoxeter, England, after competing in the all-around at Thomas Alleyne's High School.

FUTURE ADDITIONS
»EMU adds three freshmen all-arounders for the 2027 season.
»The incoming class includes Bailee Norris, Karalyn Key, and Riley Sheppard.
»The trio brings six combined Level 10 national qualifications, a Level 10 regional vault champion, and a Level 10 state floor champion.
» Bailee Norris arrives as a five-year Level 10 gymnast, four-time national qualifier, Level 10 regional vault champion, Level 10 state floor champion, and two-time Gymnast of the Year.
»Karalyn Key competed as a Level 10 all-around gymnast and qualified to Level 10 Nationals in Daytona after training at Midwest Elite Gymnastics Academy.
»Riley Sheppard joins as a Level 10 all-around gymnast and two-time national qualifier in 2024 and 2025.

BACK FOR MORE
»Eastern returns 14 gymnasts for the 2026 season, giving the roster one of the deepest returning cores in the MAC.
»The Eagles' returner total ranks at the top of the league alongside Kent State, which also brings back 14 athletes.
»Eastern returns more athletes than Bowling Green at 13, Ball State at 12, and Central Michigan at 11.
»Western Michigan and Northern Illinois each return eight gymnasts, placing them near the bottom of the conference in roster continuity.
»With 14 returners, Eastern enters the season with more lineup experience and competitive continuity than most MAC programs.

2025 SEASON SNAPSHOTS
»Abby Brushwood competed in all 12 meets and ranked fifth in the MAC on floor with a 9.784 season average. She posted a season-best 9.900 on floor and recorded three first-place finishes on the event. She qualified for NCAA Regionals on floor and scored as high as 9.850 against multiple Power Four opponents.
»Gwendelyn Cantu appeared in 11 meets and earned a season best 9.775 on vault at the MAC Championships. She closed the year with a 9.625 season high on bars
» Katin Childress competed in 11 meets and posted a season best 9.875 on beam against San Jose State and UC Davis. Beam remained her primary scoring event.
» Genae Daniel appeared in four meets and recorded a season best 9.825 on beam against Western Michigan.
»Sanai Evans competed in six meets and earned a season high 9.650 on bars, achieved twice in March competition.
» Priya Karle competed in 11 meets and posted a season best 9.850 on floor on three occasions. Floor remained her top-scoring event throughout the year.
»Keeley Kohler appeared in 11 meets and recorded a season high 9.850 on bars against Ball State on March 14.
»Kyrie Lowe competed in 11 meets and ranked fifth in the MAC on bars. She earned a career high 9.900 on bars and recorded four first-place finishes on the event, along with two all-around wins.
»Brianna Lucas appeared in six meets and posted a season best 9.675 on vault against Western Michigan, Wilberforce, and Ball State.
»Brooke Maycroft redshirted the 2025 season after competing on beam in 2024, where she recorded a career best 9.750.
»Jackie Patterson redshirted in 2025 after appearing in 10 meets in 2024 and earning a career high 9.875 on vault and beam.
»Elise Ritzenthaler redshirted during the 2025 season.
»Analiah Solorio competed in 11 meets as a freshman and earned five vault scores of 9.800 during the season.
»Jaelyn Stetz appeared in three meets and recorded a season best 9.720 on vault against Bowling Green on Jan. 12.

AYE, AYE CAPTAINS!
Jackie Patterson and Priya Karle will lead Eastern gymnastics as the two team captains for the 2026 season.

MINASOLA LEADS THE WAY
»Katie Minasola enters her ninth season as head coach, taking over the program in July 2017 and guiding it through eight completed seasons.
Eastern owns a 52-74-1 overall record and a 16-32 MAC mark during Minasola's tenure, highlighted by steady postseason presence and individual success.
» The Eagles captured the MAC Championship in 2021 with a 195.900 team score, earning the program's fourth league title and a team berth to NCAA Regionals.
»Eastern has produced NCAA Regional qualifiers in six of Minasola's eight full seasons, including team qualification in 2021 and multiple individual qualifiers in every postseason since 2018.
»Minasola has coached three MAC major award winners, including Raisa Boris as MAC Gymnast of the Year in 2024, Boris as MAC Senior Gymnast of the Year in 2024 and 2025, Ella Chemotti as MAC Freshman of the Year in 2022, and Caitlin Satler as MAC Specialist of the Year in 2021.
» Under her direction, Eastern has crowned four individual MAC champions, including Molly Parris on vault in 2021, Emili Dobronics on floor in 2019, and Ella Chemotti on bars in 2022 and beam in 2024.
»The program reached new scoring heights during her tenure, including top-five all-time event totals on vault, bars, beam, and floor, with multiple scores above 49.300 at the conference and regular-season levels.
» Eastern finished runner-up at the 2025 MAC Championship with a 195.525 team score, marking the program's best conference finish since the 2021 title season.
» Minasola has helped develop consistent academic and competitive balance, with multiple Academic All-MAC selections each season and long-term roster stability across the lineup.

HAPPY TO HELP
Sam Higgins enters her sixth season on staff and has overseen the beam lineup since 2022. Under her guidance, the beam squad ranked 22nd nationally in her first year, the highest event ranking in program history, while Ella Chemotti qualified for NCAA Regionals with a MAC-leading 9.875 NQS and earned First Team All-MAC honors. Higgins played a key role in the 2021 MAC Championship season and the program's NCAA Regional team appearance, while also helping produce multiple All-MAC selections and five beam scores of 9.900 or higher in a single season. She previously spent 10 years coaching at Gym America and earned her undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan.

Lauren Volpe is in her second season as an assistant coach after joining the staff in July 2024. A former Ball State standout, she brings MAC championship and NCAA Regional experience as both a student-athlete and graduate assistant. Volpe was a multi-year team captain at Ball State, a MAC Specialist of the Week honoree, and a three-time WGCA Scholastic All-American. She is tied for the Ball State beam record at 9.925 and brings conference-tested knowledge and competitive insight to the staff.

Sophia Rios joined the staff after competing for the program and serving as a student-athlete leader. She appeared in 10 meets on vault during the 2023 season and posted a career-high 9.700, while also earning Academic All-MAC and WCGA Academic All-America honors. Rios brings first-hand program experience to the coaching staff, pairing competitive insight with an academic background in mechanical engineering and contributing to athlete development across the vault lineup.

ON THE HORIZON
The schedule continues with the Air Force Quad, as Eastern competes against Kent State, Boise State, and host Air Force Friday, Jan. 23, at 9 p.m. ET in USAFA, Colo.. The quad meet will stream on the Mountain West Network.

Gymnastics vs. Golden Girls Classic (NIU, Brockport)
Date	Saturday, Jan. 17 \| 4 p.m.
Venue	George Gervin GameAbove Center \| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Media Guide (Coming Soon!)
Watch \| Stats	ESPN+ \| Live Stats
Follow Us On X	@EMUGym \| @EMUAthletics

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Raisa Boris

Abby Brushwood

Gwendelyn Cantu

Ella Chemotti

Katin Childress

Genae Daniel

Savanna Dunwoody

Sanai Evans

Priya Karle

Keeley Kohler

Kendall Landry

Kyrie Lowe

Brianna Lucas

Brooke Maycroft

Adysen Mazzoni

Macy Nihart

Elise Ritzenthaler

Georgie Slack

Analiah Solorio

Jaelyn Stetz

Eastern Michigan Athletics