Fantastic 4 Join Gymnastics Program

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan gymnastics coach Christine MacDonald announced on Tuesday her 2021 signing class comprising four Chippewas-to-be.

The new Chippewa foursome, which will join the program for the 2022 season, represents three states and one Canadian province. They are Grace Gorham of Sardinia, Ohio; Lia Kmieciak of Naperville, Ill.; and two gymnasts who hail from Brandon – Ariana Light of Brandon, Fla., and Quinn Skrupa of Brandon, Manitoba, Can.

"I am beyond excited to announce and welcome this year's signees to the Chippewa Family," MacDonald said. "This group represents a collective effort to recruit the highest talent and well-rounded individuals to our program. There is no doubt that each of them will continue to elevate our program and continue in our championship ways.

"As a whole, this group represents what we strive to build here at CMU -- a well-rounded individual who excels both in the classroom and on the competition floor. Their individual strengths will add much depth to our team and create a tremendous amount of excitement in our lineups.

"We can't wait to see them in maroon and gold."

Grace Gorham • All-Around • Sardinia, Ohio • Ohio Connections Academy/Perfection Gymnastics
Level 10 gymnast … competed for Perfection Gymnastics … tied for seventh in the bars at the 2019 Level 10 Region 5 Regional Qualifier … placed fourth in the bars and sixth in the all-around at the 2019 Level 10 State Qualifier … 2018 Level 9 National Qualifier, finishing fourth in the floor … tied for second in the bars and sixth in the floor and placed sixth in the around at the 2018 Level 9 Regional Qualifier … placed second in the bars and fourth in the floor and the all-around at the 2018 Level 9 State Qualifier.
MacDonald: "Grace is an elegant gymnast with great gymnastics lines. She is a very hard worker and continues to build new skills on all the events."

Lia Kmieciak • All-Around • Naperville, Ill. • Naperville Central HS/Phenom Gymnastics
Level 10 gymnast … competed for Phenom Gymnastics … placed 10^th in the vault and 13^th on bars and in the all-around at the 2019 JO Nationals qualifier … in 2019, placed fifth in the all-around at Illinois state finals and fifth on bars and sixth in the all-around at regionals … in 2018, finished third in the floor, fourth in the vault and fifth in the all-around at Illinois state finals … in 2020, recognized by Region5Insider with the fifth-best Level 10 bars score in the nation (9.9) … nominated for a 2019 Yahtzee Award by Region5Insider for Level 10 Nationals Newbie of the Year … in 2019, recognized by Region5Insider in the top 6 for vault and bars for Level 10 Nationals Newbies in the Region.
MacDonald: "Lia is a great all-around gymnast and will add depth on all four events. She is a very dynamic bar worker with big skills. Look for her to make an immediate impact on our program."

Ariana Light • All-Around • Brandon, Fla. • North Florida Christian Academy/Golden City Gymnastics
Level 10 gymnast … competed for Golden City Gymnastics … Level 10 national qualifier in 2019 … won a team championship at Level 10 nationals , contributing in beam, floor and vault … four-time regional qualifier … place first in the beam in 2018 … five-time state qualifier … placed first in the floor exercise in 2017 … awarded "Most Improved" from Golden City Gymnastics in 2018 … received a special recognition for being the first Level 10 gymnast to make JO nationals from Golden City Gymnastics … four-year letter at North Florida Christian Academy.
MacDonald: "Ari is a very talented beam worker and a fierce competitor. She is a great performer on the floor and will bring the fans to their feet with her energetic performances."

Quinn Skrupa • All-Around • Brandon, Manitoba, Canada • Vincent Massey HS/Brandon Eagles Gymnastics
Senior elite high performance level gymnast … competed for Team Canada at international competitions in France, Italy, Belgium and Montreal … member of Canadian National Team since 2015 … won an elite level team gold in 2017 in Marseille, France … won a top level team silver in 2017 in Belgium … competed for Brandon Eagles Gymnastics Club … placed seventh (2019) and eighth (2020) in the all-around at senior elite competition … earned a bronze in the all-around and finished second in bars at the 2018 junior elites … earned a bronze in the all-around and place second in the beam at 2017 junior elites … novice national all-around and bars champion in 2016 … novice national all-around, vault and beam champion in 2015.
MacDonald: "Quinn brings a wealth of international experience and success. She is among the most-decorated gymnasts to sign with CMU. She is a very dynamic gymnast and possesses many unique skills."

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