Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, March 21
Bowling Green, Ohio
2 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
MAC Championships
Gymnastics Seeks Fifth MAC Championship Title Saturday
3/19/2026 2:42:00 PM | Gymnastics
Hosted by Bowling Green, 2 p.m. on ESPN+
| Gymnastics at MAC Championship | |
| Date | Saturday, March 21, 2026 | 2 p.m. |
| Venue | Stroh Center | Bowling Green, Ohio |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) | Media Guide (PDF) |
| Watch | Stats | ESPN+ | Live Stats |
| Follow Us On X | @EMUGym | @EMUAthletics |
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University gymnastics team will travel to Bowling Green, Ohio, for the 2026 Mid American Conference Championship on Saturday, March 21, at 2 p.m. inside the Stroh Center. The meet will be hosted by Bowling Green and will stream live on ESPN+. Tickets can be purchased at here.
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 370-360-2
» From available records dating back to 2003, Eastern owns a 76-107-1 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
» The last time the MAC Championships were held at Bowling Green was 2017, when Eastern won the title with a 196.500
» Eastern has won four MAC Championship titles in program history in 2007, 2016, 2017, and 2021
» The Eagles' most recent MAC Championship came in 2021 with a 195.900 team score at Western Michigan
» Kyrie Lowe earned All-MAC Second Team honors in the all around this season with a 39.000 average and nine event titles
» Lowe was also named MAC Gymnast of the Week March 17 after posting back to back career best all around scores
» Macy Nihart was named to the All-MAC Freshman Team on floor, becoming the first EMU freshman to earn All-MAC honors since 2015
» Abby Brushwood has scored at least 9.825 on floor in eight of 11 meets and 9.700 or higher on vault in seven of 11 meets this season
» Katin Childress ranks fourth in the MAC on beam and has not scored lower than 9.025 across 11 meets this season
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.
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):
34. Central Michigan
40. Ball State
43. Kent State
44. Western Michigan
52. Eastern Michigan
57. Bowling Green
63. Northern Illinois
EASTERN VS. THE MAC
From available records dating back to 2003, Eastern owns a 76-107-1 record in regular-season MAC meets.
LAST TIME AT THE MAC CHAMPIONSHIP
Eastern delivered one of its strongest postseason performances in recent history at the 2025 MAC Championships, finishing second with a 195.525 team score. The result marked the program's best finish since capturing the MAC title in 2021, as the Eagles outscored multiple conference teams ranked ahead of them entering the meet.
Raisa Boris led Eastern in the all around with a 39.075 to place second, while Kyrie Lowe followed with a 38.950 to take third. On floor, Abby Brushwood matched her career high with a 9.900 to tie for second, helping power Eastern to a 49.300 team score, one of the top floor marks in program history. The Eagles also posted a season best 48.925 on vault, showing consistency across all events in a complete championship performance.
LAST TIME MAC CHAMPIONSHIP WERE AT BGSU
The last time the MAC Gymnastics Championships were held in Bowling Green came March 18, 2017, when Eastern Michigan captured its third conference title in program history with a 196.500 team score. The Eagles edged host Bowling Green by just 0.100 to secure the championship in a meet that came down to the final rotation.
Eastern delivered one of the most complete performances in program history, posting a 49.000 or better on all four events for the first time that season. The Eagles closed the meet on bars with a program record 49.300, highlighted by three 9.900 scores from Catie Conrad, Natalie Gervais, and Lacey Rubin. The title added to previous championships in 2007 and 2016 and marked a defining moment for the program inside the Stroh Center.
LAST TIME EMU WON THE MAC CHAMPIONSHIP
Eastern Michigan captured its most recent MAC Championship title March 20, 2021, finishing first with a 195.900 team score to secure the program's fourth conference crown. The Eagles delivered a complete performance across all four events, posting a 49.125 on bars in the final rotation to clinch the title.
Molly Parris highlighted the meet with a 9.850 on vault to claim the event title, becoming Eastern's first vault champion since 1988. Hadyn Crossen added a 9.875 on floor and placed second in the all around with a 39.225, while Jada Rondeau contributed consistent scores across all events, including a 9.850 on bars. Cortney Bezold led the bars lineup with a 9.875, helping seal the championship performance.
MAC CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
Eastern Michigan has captured four Mid American Conference Championship titles in program history, with victories in 2007, 2016, 2017, and 2021. The Eagles claimed their first title in 2007 in Ypsilanti, followed by a 2016 championship at Ball State. Eastern successfully defended its title in 2017 at Bowling Green before earning its most recent championship in 2021 at Western Michigan, marking sustained success across multiple host sites.
ALL-MAC HONORS
Eastern Michigan saw two gymnasts recognized as the Mid American Conference announced its postseason awards. Kyrie Lowe earned All-MAC Second Team honors in the all around after posting a 39.000 average and recording nine event titles during the season. She set career highs on vault, beam, floor, and in the all around, including a 9.900 on beam, the highest score by an Eagle this year.
Freshman Macy Nihart was named to the All-MAC Freshman Team on floor following a strong debut season. Nihart competed in every meet and finished with a 9.790 average on floor, highlighted by a career best 9.825 and multiple 9.800 performances against top competition. Nihart became the first Eastern Michigan freshman to earn All-MAC recognition since 2015, when Chantelle Loehner was named to the All-MAC Second Team.
GYMNAST OF THE WEEK
Kyrie Lowe earned Mid American Conference Gymnast of the Week honors March 17, becoming the first Eagle to receive the award this season.
Lowe led Eastern across two meets with back to back career best all around performances. She posted a 39.175 against No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 9 Michigan before topping that mark with a 39.200 against Kent State. Her performance included a career best 9.900 on beam, the first score by an Eagle to reach that mark this season, while also adding strong scores across vault, bars, and floor to anchor the lineup.
(BRUSH)WOOD ON FIRE
Junior Abby Brushwood has scored at least a 9.825 on floor in eight of her 11 meets and a 9.700 or higher on vault in seven of 11 meets. Her routines helped Eastern's season highs include a 48.775 on vault, a 49.050 on floor, and a 195.225 overall team score.
(CHIL)DRESS TO IMPRESS
Junior Katin Childress has been a steady presence on beam for Eastern all season, not scoring lower than a 9.025 across 11 meets. She ranks fourth in the Mid American Conference on the event and has delivered multiple high level routines, including a career best 9.875 at the Air Force Quad, along with three scores of 9.850.
Childress has posted seven routines of 9.750 or higher and five scores of 9.800 or better, showing reliability in every meet. Her consistency has made her one of Eastern's top contributors on beam throughout the season.
EVENT TITLES ACROSS THE SEASON
Eastern has claimed at least one event title in every meet this season prior to the George Washington quad, Ohio State quad and Michigan Tri meets. EMU 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
WMU / ILST
» All-Around – Kyrie Lowe
Kent state
» Beam – Kyrie Lowe
» All-Around – Kyrie Lowe
LAST MEET RECAP AT KENT STATE
BEAM OPENS THE MEET
Eastern opened the meet on uneven bars and posted a 47.875 team score. Kyrie Lowe led the rotation with a 9.875, while Jacquelyn Patterson followed with a 9.800. Keeley Kohler added a 9.750, and Genae Daniel contributed a 9.475 as the Eagles worked through the opening rotation.
VAULT HOLDS STEADY
The Eagles moved to vault and recorded a 48.425. Lowe and Daniel paced the lineup with matching 9.725s, while Georgie Slack added a 9.700. Kendall Landry posted a 9.675, and Abby Brushwood contributed a 9.600 as Eastern remained consistent through the second rotation.
FLOOR BUILDS MOMENTUM
Eastern continued on floor with a 48.850 team score. Brushwood and Macy Nihart led the way with matching 9.825s, while Sanai Evans followed with a career-best 9.775. Priya Karle added a 9.725, and both Lowe and Landry posted 9.700 as the Eagles delivered a strong third rotation.
BEAM CLOSES WITH A SEASON HIGH
Eastern finished on beam with its highest team score of the season, posting a 49.000. Lowe led the rotation with a career-best 9.900 to win the event, while Kohler followed with a 9.850. Katin Childress added a 9.800, and Patterson and Analiah Solorio each recorded 9.725 as the Eagles closed the regular season with their strongest performance.
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.
MAC CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION
» March in order will begin with Ball State, followed by Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, and host Bowling Green
» Eastern Michigan will begin competition on bars in Rotation I
» Rotation order for EMU: Bars, Beam, Bye, Floor, Vault, Bye, Bye
» Championship merchandise will be available online at getsomemaction.com
» Spectator seating will be in the upper bowl, with Eastern Michigan fans assigned to Section 114
» Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for youth, $5 for groups of 10 or more, and free for MAC students with a valid ID
» Warm ups will include a four minute touch on each event with a two minute transition between rotations
» The meet will stream live on ESPN+ with full competition and individual event links provided during championship week
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