Sunday, January 12
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
1 p.m.
Central Michigan University
193.950
vs
193.750
West Virginia
Photo by: Sydney Kline '26 - @sydney.kline.photography
Gymnastics Stuns No. 18 West Virginia in Home Opener
1/12/2025 9:22:00 PM | Gymnastics
Chippewas post best uneven bars score since 2023
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — There's no better feeling than winning on your home floor.
Central Michigan Gymnastics put No. 18 West Virginia to the test on Sunday and came up victorious, taking a 193.950-193.750 edge over the Mountaineers in a buzzing McGuirk Arena.
"Ending our holiday break at home was something we've been really looking forward to," said Head Coach Christine MacDonald, who led the Chippewas as they welcomed fans back to campus before classes begin on Monday. "Our team is really excited to be back in McGuirk, in front of their fans and on their home equipment. Today was a great start to our season and to our home stretch."
The Chippewas used their expertise on the uneven bars to their advantage in the dual and delivered the highest team score in over a year, a 49.200, on the event to boost CMU over the Mountaineers.
Junior Luciana Alvarado-Reid led the pack with a stunning 9.925, the score that won her a Mid-American Conference title in 2024, for the event win. Senior Hannah Appleget and Gabrielle
Johnson both scored 9.850 to tie for 2nd. It marked a career-high milestone for the sophomore, having competed her fourth showcase on the event in the maroon and gold.
"We have a really strong and experienced bar team," MacDonald said. "It showed today; that was our highest score in over a year on bars. They put a lot of time in, and they worked hard for that. The individuals have been consistent for us in the gym and seeing them build off each other's routines, it's electric."
Alvarado-Reid additionally earned 1st place on the balance beam, recording a score of 9.850 to contribute to her winning all-around score of 39.200.
Freshman Ava Wellmeier shined for the second straight week on the vault and floor exercise, keeping the energy high from her strong collegiate debut at Minnesota last week.
The Zanesville, Ohio freshman earned a spot as the Chippewas' vault anchor against the Mountaineers and delivered a 2nd place finish alongside senior Avah Bootz, each scoring 9.725. Wellmeier tied for 3rd on the floor exercise with a score of 9.800.
"Every week we have challenges for our lineups, and (Ava's) really challenged for that position," said MacDonald. "Her performance last weekend and this week really showed her strength and consistency."
The momentum continues onward as the Chippewas keep the home floor advantage for another week –despite having to share it with CMU Wrestling – in their MAC opening Rumble and Tumble against Bowling Green on Jan. 17 (7 p.m.).
In the unique double-feature event, the Chippewa gymnasts will share the stage with CMU Wrestling as it takes on MAC foe Northern Illinois, marking the first time CMU has hosted the two-sport collaboration since 2013.
Tickets for the 2025 Rumble and Tumble can be purchased here.
"It's going to be exhilarating," said MacDonald of the event. "The whole energy and the vibe when you go to a combined wrestling/gymnastics meet is really unique. The fans are in for an exciting night and I know our athletes are excited for it."
CMU will face Bowling Green twice in the next two meets, first in McGuirk Arena, and again in the Stroh Center on Jan. 26. The Chippewas aim to earn their first MAC victory on Friday, as the latter event is a non-league matchup between the two teams.
"We're thrilled to continue working towards our end-of-year goals as we start the MAC season," MacDonald said. "Starting at home is exciting, and we're in a good place to keep building on these past two weekends."
Central Michigan Gymnastics put No. 18 West Virginia to the test on Sunday and came up victorious, taking a 193.950-193.750 edge over the Mountaineers in a buzzing McGuirk Arena.
"Ending our holiday break at home was something we've been really looking forward to," said Head Coach Christine MacDonald, who led the Chippewas as they welcomed fans back to campus before classes begin on Monday. "Our team is really excited to be back in McGuirk, in front of their fans and on their home equipment. Today was a great start to our season and to our home stretch."
The Chippewas used their expertise on the uneven bars to their advantage in the dual and delivered the highest team score in over a year, a 49.200, on the event to boost CMU over the Mountaineers.
Junior Luciana Alvarado-Reid led the pack with a stunning 9.925, the score that won her a Mid-American Conference title in 2024, for the event win. Senior Hannah Appleget and Gabrielle
Johnson both scored 9.850 to tie for 2nd. It marked a career-high milestone for the sophomore, having competed her fourth showcase on the event in the maroon and gold.
"We have a really strong and experienced bar team," MacDonald said. "It showed today; that was our highest score in over a year on bars. They put a lot of time in, and they worked hard for that. The individuals have been consistent for us in the gym and seeing them build off each other's routines, it's electric."
Alvarado-Reid additionally earned 1st place on the balance beam, recording a score of 9.850 to contribute to her winning all-around score of 39.200.
Freshman Ava Wellmeier shined for the second straight week on the vault and floor exercise, keeping the energy high from her strong collegiate debut at Minnesota last week.
The Zanesville, Ohio freshman earned a spot as the Chippewas' vault anchor against the Mountaineers and delivered a 2nd place finish alongside senior Avah Bootz, each scoring 9.725. Wellmeier tied for 3rd on the floor exercise with a score of 9.800.
"Every week we have challenges for our lineups, and (Ava's) really challenged for that position," said MacDonald. "Her performance last weekend and this week really showed her strength and consistency."
The momentum continues onward as the Chippewas keep the home floor advantage for another week –despite having to share it with CMU Wrestling – in their MAC opening Rumble and Tumble against Bowling Green on Jan. 17 (7 p.m.).
In the unique double-feature event, the Chippewa gymnasts will share the stage with CMU Wrestling as it takes on MAC foe Northern Illinois, marking the first time CMU has hosted the two-sport collaboration since 2013.
Tickets for the 2025 Rumble and Tumble can be purchased here.
"It's going to be exhilarating," said MacDonald of the event. "The whole energy and the vibe when you go to a combined wrestling/gymnastics meet is really unique. The fans are in for an exciting night and I know our athletes are excited for it."
CMU will face Bowling Green twice in the next two meets, first in McGuirk Arena, and again in the Stroh Center on Jan. 26. The Chippewas aim to earn their first MAC victory on Friday, as the latter event is a non-league matchup between the two teams.
"We're thrilled to continue working towards our end-of-year goals as we start the MAC season," MacDonald said. "Starting at home is exciting, and we're in a good place to keep building on these past two weekends."
Players Mentioned
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