Gymnastics Hosts Senior Night Celebration

Gymnastics vs EMU Quad
Date	Friday, Feb. 27 \| 6 p.m.
Venue	George Gervin GameAbove Center \| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Media Guide (PDF)
Watch \| Stats	ESPN+ \| Live Stats
Follow Us On X	@EMUGym \| @EMUAthletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan will host Western Michigan, Illinois State, and Wilberforce on Friday at 6 p.m. inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The Eagles will celebrate seniors Kyrie Lowe and Priya Karle during Senior Night. The quad meet will stream live on ESPN+, with Brent Balbinot on play-by-play and Kim Dowis-Brown serving as the analyst.

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 369-354-2.
» From available records dating back to 2003, Eastern owns a 76-105-1 record in regular-season MAC meets.
» 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.
» Freshman Georgie Slack is believed to be the first gymnast in EMU history to be from Europe.
» Eastern checks in at No. 52 nationally in this week's Road To Nationals rankings.
» Eastern posted a season-high 195.225 at the George Washington Quad, improving its previous best by 1.100 points.
» The Eagles recorded season highs on floor with 48.975 and bars with 48.700 in Washington, D.C.
» Six career-best routines and four season-best marks were set at the GW Quad.
» The Eagles hold a 72-46 regular-season home record dating back to 2003 and went 6-2 at home in 2025.
» The all-time series with Western Michigan is tied 19-19, with Eastern looking to snap a seven-meet skid in the matchup.
» Eastern holds an 8-3 series advantage over Illinois State and rides a seven-meet winning streak against the Redbirds.
» The Eagles are 2-0 all-time against Wilberforce and have won both meetings in Ypsilanti.

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.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
Priya Karle has been a key contributor for Eastern Michigan gymnastics over the past four seasons, making her collegiate debut in 2023 in the anchor spot on floor with a 9.650. She has consistently appeared in the floor lineup, earning a career-best 9.775 at Minnesota in 2024 and posting a 9.850 during the 2025 season. In 2026, she recorded a season-high on floor at the George Washington Quad on Feb. 22, continuing to provide steady routines and leadership for the Eagles in her senior campaign.

Kyrie Lowe has been a cornerstone of Eastern Michigan gymnastics throughout her career, competing regularly in the all around and emerging as one of the top performers in the conference. Since her debut season in 2023, she has posted multiple scores of 9.800 or higher across events and built consistency on bars, beam, and floor. In 2024, she competed in 12 meets in the all around and recorded eight scores of 9.800 or better in a strong late season stretch. In 2025, she earned four first place finishes on bars and two all around titles, ranked fifth in the MAC on bars, and scored a career high 9.900 against Ball State. In 2026, she raised the bar again at Temple on Feb. 20, setting a new beam best with a 9.825, a new floor high with a 9.850, and a career best 39.100 in the all around.

WHERE THEY STACK UP
Eastern checks in at No. 52 in this week's national rankings, following the latest update from Road To Nationals.

NATIONAL RANKINGS (MAC ONLY):
33. Central Michigan
37. Ball State
43. Kent State
44. Western Michigan
52. Eastern Michigan
55. Bowling Green
60. Northern Illinois

HOME COOKIN'
According to available records dating back to 2003, Eastern has been strong at home with a 72-46 regular-season record. Eastern posted a 6-2 mark at home during the 2025 season. Eastern will also host the Mid-American Conference Championship next season.

EASTERN VS. THE MAC
From available records dating back to 2003, Eastern owns a 76-105-1 record in regular-season MAC meets.

LAST TIME VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN
The most recent meeting with Western Michigan took place Feb. 27, 2025, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, where Eastern posted a season-best 195.775 in a home tri-meet with Western and Wilberforce. The score marked one of Eastern's top team totals of the season and showcased a balanced performance across all four events.

Ella Chemotti claimed the beam title with a 9.900, while Abby Brushwood matched that mark on floor to secure first place. Raisa Boris captured the all-around crown with a season-best 39.300, a score that ranks among the top 20 in program history.

Eastern recorded a 49.200 on beam, its best event score of the season and eighth-best in program history. The Eagles also added a season-best 49.025 on floor, highlighted by Brushwood's career-high 9.900 and a 9.875 from Boris. The performance capped one of Eastern's strongest home meets of the 2025 campaign.

SERIES HISTORY VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN
Eastern and Western Michigan have met 38 times since Feb. 2, 2003, with the all-time series tied at 19-19. The Eagles hold a 10-6 record at home and a 7-13 mark on the road, with two additional wins coming at neutral sites.

Western Michigan has won the last seven meetings, including the most recent matchup Feb. 27, 2025, in Ypsilanti. Eastern enters the next contest looking to snap that seven-meet skid and even the recent trend after dropping eight of the last 10 matchups.

The largest margin of victory for Eastern in the series came March 23, 2013, while the narrowest win was a 188.200-188.125 result Feb. 13, 2010. Across the series, the programs have averaged team scores around 193, reflecting a long-standing and competitive conference rivalry.

LAST TIME VS. ILLINOIS STATE
The most recent meeting with Illinois State took place Jan. 21, 2022, in Normal, Ill., where Eastern earned a 193.950-192.650 victory. The win pushed EMU to 2-1 on the season and marked a strong road performance for the Eagles.

Eastern opened on bars with a 48.575, led by Molly Parris and Anna Grace McCullough with matching 9.750s. After trailing at the halfway point, the Eagles surged ahead on floor with a 48.625 team score. Kara Roberts captured the event title with a 9.800 as EMU took control heading into the final rotation.

Beam sealed the win for Eastern. Ella Chemotti delivered a career-high 9.850 to claim first place, while Raisa Boris and Caitlin Satler followed with 9.800 and 9.775 as the Eagles swept the top three spots on the event. The 48.725 beam total secured the team victory and capped a composed comeback effort on the road.

SERIES HISTORY VS. ILLINOIS STATE
Eastern and Illinois State have met 11 times since Feb. 28, 2007, with the Eagles holding an 8-3 advantage in the series. EMU is 1-1 at home, 3-1 on the road, and has found success at neutral sites as well.

Eastern enters the matchup riding a seven-meet winning streak against the Redbirds, with the last loss in the series coming in 2013. The Eagles have won seven of the last 10 meetings overall and look to keep that streak intact in the next contest.

The largest margin of victory came Jan. 31, 2015, in a 194.650-189.650 road win, while the narrowest result was a 195.125-194.125 victory Feb. 28, 2015. Across the series, team scores have averaged 193, highlighting consistent performances between the two programs.

LAST TIME VS. WILBERFORCE
The most recent meeting with Wilberforce took place Jan. 29 of this year inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, where Eastern earned a 191.575 victory at the First Responders Meet. The win moved the Eagles to 3-0 at home for the second straight season and marked the program's largest home victory margin since 2021.

Eastern won every event in the meet. Gwen Cantu led a vault sweep with a 9.700, while Kyrie Lowe and Analiah Solorio shared the top score on bars at 9.650. Jackie Patterson captured the beam title with a 9.850, and Abby Brushwood closed the night with a 9.825 to win floor.

Lowe added the all-around crown with a 37.875 as Eastern controlled the meet from start to finish and delivered a complete team performance in front of the home crowd.

SERIES HISTORY VS. WILBERFORCE
Eastern and Wilberforce have met twice, with both matchups coming in Ypsilanti. The Eagles hold a 2-0 advantage in the series and are 2-0 at home.

The most recent meeting came Jan. 29, 2026, when Eastern posted a 191.575-155.025 victory, marking the largest margin in the brief series. The first matchup took place Feb. 27, 2025, with EMU earning a 195.775-170.675 win.

Eastern enters the next meeting riding a two-meet winning streak against Wilberforce and has averaged 194 points across the series.

SEASON HIGH SURGE IN THE CAPITAL
Eastern delivered its strongest performance of the season at George Washington, posting a season-high 195.225 and improving its previous team best by 1.100 points while recording season highs on bars and floor. The meet featured six career-best routines and four season-best marks, highlighted by Kyrie Lowe's career-high 9.850 on floor, Jacquelyn Patterson's career-best 9.850 on bars, and Gwendelyn Cantu's career-high 9.825 on vault. Kendall Landry added a career-best 9.800 in her beam debut, while Macy Nihart and Sanai Evans each notched career highs on floor as Eastern showed measurable growth across the lineup.

EVENT TITLES ACROSS THE SEASON
Eastern has claimed at least one event title in every meet this season prior to the George Washington quad and has recorded two complete event sweeps.

Bowling Green
» Team sweep on all four events
» Vault – Gwen Cantu
» Bars – Keeley Kohler
» Beam – Jackie Patterson
» Floor – Abby Brushwood
» All-Around – Kyrie Lowe

NIU / SUNY Brockport
» Bars – Kyrie Lowe
» All-Around – Kyrie Lowe

Air Force Quad
» Floor – Abby Brushwood

Wilberforce
» Team sweep on all four events
» Vault – Gwen Cantu
» Bars – Kyrie Lowe and Analiah Solorio (tie)
» Beam – Jackie Patterson
» Floor – Abby Brushwood
» All-Around – Kyrie Lowe

Central Michigan
» Beam – Katin Childress

Ball State
» Vault – Kendall Landry
» Floor – Abby Brushwood

Temple
» Vault – Genae Daniel (tie)
» Beam – Katin Childress
» Floor – Abby Brushwood
» All-Around – Kyrie Lowe

LAST MEET RECAP AT GEORGE WASHINGTON QUAD
BEAM SETS THE STANDARD
Eastern opened the meet on balance beam and delivered a 48.800 team score to start strong. Keeley Kohler led the rotation with a season-best 9.825 to tie for second, while Kendall Landry made her beam debut and scored a career-best 9.800. Katin Childress added a 9.775 and Kyrie Lowe posted a 9.750 as the Eagles established momentum early inside the Charles E. Smith Center.

FLOOR HEATS UP
The Eagles built on that start with a season-high 48.975 on floor, improving their previous best by .500. Kyrie Lowe paced the lineup with a career-best 9.850, while Macy Nihart followed with a career-high 9.800. Sanai Evans added a career-best 9.725 and Priya Karle delivered a season-best 9.825 as Eastern continued to climb midway through the meet.

VAULT HOLDS STEADY
Eastern carried its consistency to vault with a 48.750 team total. Gwendelyn Cantu led the way with a career-best 9.825 to place third, while Kendall Landry and Genae Daniel each scored 9.750. Kyrie Lowe added a 9.725 and Abby Brushwood posted 9.700 as the Eagles stayed within reach heading into the final rotation.

BARS CLOSE WITH A SEASON HIGH
Eastern wrapped up the afternoon on uneven bars with a season-best 48.700, topping its previous high by .200. Jacquelyn Patterson delivered a career-best 9.850 to tie for third, while Analiah Solorio added a 9.775. Keeley Kohler and Kyrie Lowe each scored 9.725, and Sanai Evans capped the meet with a season-best 9.500 as Eastern finished with its highest team score of the season at 195.225.

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
Eastern will travel to Columbus, Ohio, on Sunday, March 8 at 2 p.m. for the Ohio State Quad inside the Covelli Center. The Eagles will face Ohio State, NC State, and Penn State in the quad meet, which will stream live on B1G+.

Gymnastics vs EMU Quad
Date	Friday, Feb. 27 \| 6 p.m.
Venue	George Gervin GameAbove Center \| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Media Guide (PDF)
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

Jacquelyn Patterson

Elise Ritzenthaler

Georgie Slack

Analiah Solorio

Jaelyn Stetz

Eastern Michigan Athletics