Gymnastics Delivers Season-High Score, Bests Broncos on Senior Night

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – In its final regular season meet of the 2024 season, Central Michigan Gymnastics took down Western Michigan 196.875-195.800, with the Chippewas' score being their season-high as their focus turns to the MAC Championships.

CMU honored seven seniors for its senior day: Adriana Bustelo, Elizabeth Buttle, Elizabeth Cesarone, Hallie Hornbacher, Katie Kowalski, Amber Mueller and Ashley Veglucci.

"This group is very cohesive," Head Coach Christine MacDonald said of her seniors. "They've been a very integral part of transitioning the program and really taking it to a new level. Their impact on our team is beyond the score sheet, and is something we truly value and cherish. We saw that today and each of those individual performances just show how impactful they have been to their teammates."

While each senior's final performance at McGuirk Arena was special in its own right, MacDonald specifically mentioned Kowalski - who competed for the first time in two years due to injury.

"It was pretty special, and something she's put a lot of time and effort into," MacDonald said of Kowalski. "I think that's one of those shining moments for us beyond the score sheet. (We're) just really proud of her effort and just happy for her to be able to have that moment, especially on senior night."

The Chippewas bested the Broncos in each rotation except floor - during which Western edged out CMU by just a tenth of a point. Additionally, the Chippewas broke 49 points in each event.

"We've talked repeatedly about a flow (this season) and I felt like starting off strong on vault really just started off the day," MacDonald said. "They kept building off of event after event. That was something that we talked a little bit about last week. We're starting to find that flow within events and collectively putting them together."

As MacDonald mentioned, CMU started its day off strong on vault. Sophomore Luciana Alvarado-Reid claimed a second-place finish with a score of 9.850, while Hornbacher, Cesarone and Zoie Pelfrey shared third with a 9.825 each. The Chippewas scored 49.125 in the event.

Alvarado-Reid followed up her impressive first event by registering an event-winning score of 9.875 on the uneven parallel bars, as CMU scored 49.125 as a whole again. Behind her, Veglucci and Bustelo shared second place with a 9.825 each.

Competing in all four events, Alvarado-Reid's all-around score of 39.525 matched her career best. She and freshman Samantha Shannon shared first place on the balance beam, each scoring a 9.900. It was a new career best for Shannon, while also matching Alvarado-Reid's top career mark.

"Super happy for (Shannon) because she really puts a lot of pressure on herself to be there for the team," MacDonald said. "Today I thought she just did her gymnastics and that really showcased when she's at her best, and it helps us do our best."

The Chippewas finished the balance beam rotation with a score of 49.150. Finishing in second were Karina Lankamer and Mueller, each scoring a 9.800.

Finishing out on the floor, CMU had impressive scores up and down their lineup. Hornbacher finished second, tying her career best mark of 9.925. Cesarone, Alvarado-Reid and Veglucci each contributed a 9.900 for their routines, while Buttle and Quinn Skrupa each delivered scores of 9.850.

The Chippewas now shift their focus to March 23, when the MAC Championships take place in Muncie, Ind. For MacDonald and CMU, the process doesn't change much from what they've done all season.

"The focus is to continue to peak," she said. "We're in that place where we continue to refine routines, refine the details, continue to work as a unit, really come out strong and do the best team performance we can."

Gymnastics Delivers Season-High Score, Bests Broncos on Senior Night

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Players Mentioned

Luciana Alvarado-Reid

Adriana Bustelo

Elizabeth Buttle

Elizabeth Cesarone

Hallie Hornbacher

Katie Kowalski

Karina Lankamer

Amber Mueller

Zoie Pelfrey

Samantha Shannon

Quinn Skrupa

Ashley Veglucci