Eastern Michigan Athletics
Lowe, Kohler Named MAC Gymnasts to Watch
1/2/2026 3:00:00 PM | Gymnastics
Eagles picked third in preseason poll
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University gymnasts Kyrie Lowe and Keeley Kohler were named to the 2026 Mid-American Conference Gymnasts to Watch list as the Eagles were picked to finish tied for third in the MAC Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference announced Friday, Jan. 2.
Lowe (Lake Worth, Fla./Park Vista), a senior, returns as one of the league's most consistent performers. During the 2025 season, she competed in 11 meets and earned four first-place finishes on bars, along with two all-around wins. She ranked fifth in the MAC on bars and posted a career high 9.900 against Ball State on March 14. As a junior in 2024, she appeared in 12 meets and recorded eight scores of 9.800 or higher, helping Eastern post a season-best vault score at Kent State on March 3.
Kohler (Davison, Mich./Powers Catholic), a sophomore, earned recognition after a strong first season with the Eagles. She appeared in 11 meets during the 2025 campaign and recorded a season high of 9.850 on bars against Ball State on March 14.
Central Michigan was selected as the preseason favorite with 33 points and three first-place votes. Kent State followed closely with 31 points and three first-place votes. Ball State and Eastern Michigan tied for third with 23 points. Western Michigan placed fifth, followed by Bowling Green and Northern Illinois.
Eastern will have a chance to add another conference championship to program history when the team competes at the 2026 MAC Championships in Bowling Green, Ohio on March 21.
2026 MAC Gymnastics Preseason Coaches Poll
(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)
2026 MAC Gymnasts to Watch
Ball State
Ashley Szymanski, Junior
Carley Stalder, Freshman
Bowling Green
Keira Thornton, Junior
Megan Dzialo, Junior
Central Michigan
Luciana Alvarado-Reid, Senior
Samantha Shannon, Junior
Eastern Michigan
Kyrie Lowe, Senior
Keeley Kohler, Sophomore
Kent State
Charlie Behner, Senior
Ashley Morgan, Junior
Northern Illinois
Ashlie Leage, Junior
Deziray Boykin, Freshman
Western Michigan
Julie Korfhage, Junior
Casey Mooney, Freshman
For the latest on EMU Gymnastics, visit EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, X, and Facebook @emugym.
Lowe (Lake Worth, Fla./Park Vista), a senior, returns as one of the league's most consistent performers. During the 2025 season, she competed in 11 meets and earned four first-place finishes on bars, along with two all-around wins. She ranked fifth in the MAC on bars and posted a career high 9.900 against Ball State on March 14. As a junior in 2024, she appeared in 12 meets and recorded eight scores of 9.800 or higher, helping Eastern post a season-best vault score at Kent State on March 3.
Kohler (Davison, Mich./Powers Catholic), a sophomore, earned recognition after a strong first season with the Eagles. She appeared in 11 meets during the 2025 campaign and recorded a season high of 9.850 on bars against Ball State on March 14.
Central Michigan was selected as the preseason favorite with 33 points and three first-place votes. Kent State followed closely with 31 points and three first-place votes. Ball State and Eastern Michigan tied for third with 23 points. Western Michigan placed fifth, followed by Bowling Green and Northern Illinois.
Eastern will have a chance to add another conference championship to program history when the team competes at the 2026 MAC Championships in Bowling Green, Ohio on March 21.
2026 MAC Gymnastics Preseason Coaches Poll
(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)
2026 MAC Gymnasts to Watch
Ball State
Ashley Szymanski, Junior
Carley Stalder, Freshman
Bowling Green
Keira Thornton, Junior
Megan Dzialo, Junior
Central Michigan
Luciana Alvarado-Reid, Senior
Samantha Shannon, Junior
Eastern Michigan
Kyrie Lowe, Senior
Keeley Kohler, Sophomore
Kent State
Charlie Behner, Senior
Ashley Morgan, Junior
Northern Illinois
Ashlie Leage, Junior
Deziray Boykin, Freshman
Western Michigan
Julie Korfhage, Junior
Casey Mooney, Freshman
For the latest on EMU Gymnastics, visit EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, X, and Facebook @emugym.
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