Eastern Michigan Athletics
Sunday, January 11
Bowling Green, Ohio
2 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Bowling Green
Gymnastics Set To Open 2026 Season Sunday at BGSU
1/8/2026 1:21:00 PM | Gymnastics
EMU begins its 50th varsity season at Bowling Green
| Gymnastics at Bowling Green | |
| Date | Sunday, Jan. 11 | 2 p.m. |
| Venue | Stroh Center | Bowling Green, Ohio |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) | Media Guide (Coming Soon!) |
| Watch | Stats | YouTube | Live Stats |
| Follow Us On X | @EMUGym | @EMUAthletics |
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University gymnastics team opens the 2026 season with a Mid-American Conference road meet at Bowling Green Sunday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m. inside Stroh Center.
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green will stream on YouTube.
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 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.
» Kyrie Lowe finished third in the MAC with a 38.631 all-around average. She trailed her former teammate Raisa Boris, who placed second in the MAC and graduated following last season.
» 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.
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 originated in 1959, making it one of 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.
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 that 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 on 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 to 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 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 reshirted 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.
RECORDS FROM 2003-PRESENT
ALL-TIME VS. BOWLING GREEN
Eastern and Bowling Green have met 26 times since the series began Feb. 7, 2003, with Eastern holding a 15-11 advantage in the all-time matchup. The Eagles have controlled the series in recent years, winning three straight meets and eight of the last 10 overall. Eastern has been especially strong at home with a 10-1 record, while posting a 4-9 mark on the road and a 13-9 edge in conference meetings. The most recent matchup came Jan. 12, 2025, when Eastern earned a 194.925-193.100 victory. Across the series, Eastern has averaged 194 points per meet, including its largest margin of victory on Jan. 24, 2021, and its closest win on March 7, 2021.
LAST TIME VS. THE MAC
Eastern holds a 74-103-1 all-time record in regular-season MAC meets. The most recent conference matchup came Friday, March 14, 2025, when Eastern earned a home win over Ball State in Ypsilanti, posting a 195.475-194.550 victory.
LIFTING LIDS • SEASON-OPENER
Eastern holds a 10-13 all-time record in its first meet of the season. EMU has opened the season against a Mid-American Conference opponent 15 times.
ROAD TEST
Eastern finished the 2025 season 0-5 in road meets and enters the new year looking to reset away from home. Eastern holds a 53–105 all-time record in road competition.
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 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 with a 9.925 and adds 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 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. inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Admission is free for fans, and the meet will stream on ESPN+ with Brent Balbinot and Anna Grace McCullough on the call.
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