Central Michigan University Athletics
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Gymnastics Selected for MAC Championship Title in Preseason Coaches Poll; Appleget, Alvarado-Reid earn Preseason Nods
1/3/2025 11:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Three of six eligible league coaches slate CMU as MAC Champion; Chippewas picked 3rd for regular season
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Central Michigan Gymnastics has been voted to win the 2025 Mid-American Conference Championship Title as voted on by league coaches in a preseason poll, the league announced on Friday.
In a vote with the league's seven head coaches, the Chippewas earned three votes as the Championship favorite. CMU was picked to finished third in the regular season.
The Chippewas were picked as the regular season favorite in 2024 and finished tied for third in the league with a 4-2 conference meet record. In 2023, CMU was slated to win both the regular season and tournament title, where the Chippewas then emerged with a second consecutive MAC Championship title.
Luciana Alvarado-Reid and Hannah Appleget were named to the 'Gymnasts to Watch' list, as nominated by opposing league coaches.
Alvarado-Reid, who was nominated to the list in 2024, is entering her junior season. The Cartago, Costa Rica All-Arounder was named MAC Freshman of the year in 2023 and earned the individual MAC title on uneven bars at the 2024 MAC Championships at Ball State.
Appleget, a transfer from Lindenwood, joins the Chippewas for her senior season. With the Lions, Appleget became a three-time Midwest Independent Conference First Team honoree (2x uneven bars, all-around), a three-time USA Gymnastics First Team All-American (2x uneven bars, vault) and helped Lindenwood to two USA Gymnastics titles in 2023 and 2024.
The Chippewas open the 2025 season on Saturday, Jan. 4 (5 p.m. ET) at Minnesota.
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2025 MAC Gymnastics Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Ball State – 33 points (4)
2. Kent State – 29 points (1)
3. Central Michigan – 28 points (2)
4. Western Michigan – 24 points
5. Eastern Michigan – 14 points
6. Bowling Green – 12 points
7. Northern Illinois – 7 points
MAC Tournament Champion: Central Michigan (3), Ball State (2), Kent State (2)
2025 MAC Gymnasts to Watch
Zoe Middleton, Junior, Ball State
Hannah Ruthberg, Graduate Student, Ball State
Love Apkan, Sophomore, Bowling Green
Megan Bingham, Junior, Bowling Green
Luciana Alvarado-Reid, Junior, Central Michigan
Hannah Appleget, Senior, Central Michigan
Keeley Kohler, Freshman, Eastern Michigan
Alana Fisher, Senior, Eastern Michigan
Nastia Rudnitskaya, Junior, Kent State
Dani Fuertez, Sophomore, Kent State
Kiera O'Shea, Junior, Northern Illinois
Aliyah Kelly, Freshman, Northern Illinois
Halle Faulkner, Senior, Western Michigan
Reilan Garvey, Freshman, Western Michigan
In a vote with the league's seven head coaches, the Chippewas earned three votes as the Championship favorite. CMU was picked to finished third in the regular season.
The Chippewas were picked as the regular season favorite in 2024 and finished tied for third in the league with a 4-2 conference meet record. In 2023, CMU was slated to win both the regular season and tournament title, where the Chippewas then emerged with a second consecutive MAC Championship title.
Luciana Alvarado-Reid and Hannah Appleget were named to the 'Gymnasts to Watch' list, as nominated by opposing league coaches.
Alvarado-Reid, who was nominated to the list in 2024, is entering her junior season. The Cartago, Costa Rica All-Arounder was named MAC Freshman of the year in 2023 and earned the individual MAC title on uneven bars at the 2024 MAC Championships at Ball State.
Appleget, a transfer from Lindenwood, joins the Chippewas for her senior season. With the Lions, Appleget became a three-time Midwest Independent Conference First Team honoree (2x uneven bars, all-around), a three-time USA Gymnastics First Team All-American (2x uneven bars, vault) and helped Lindenwood to two USA Gymnastics titles in 2023 and 2024.
The Chippewas open the 2025 season on Saturday, Jan. 4 (5 p.m. ET) at Minnesota.
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2025 MAC Gymnastics Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Ball State – 33 points (4)
2. Kent State – 29 points (1)
3. Central Michigan – 28 points (2)
4. Western Michigan – 24 points
5. Eastern Michigan – 14 points
6. Bowling Green – 12 points
7. Northern Illinois – 7 points
MAC Tournament Champion: Central Michigan (3), Ball State (2), Kent State (2)
2025 MAC Gymnasts to Watch
Zoe Middleton, Junior, Ball State
Hannah Ruthberg, Graduate Student, Ball State
Love Apkan, Sophomore, Bowling Green
Megan Bingham, Junior, Bowling Green
Luciana Alvarado-Reid, Junior, Central Michigan
Hannah Appleget, Senior, Central Michigan
Keeley Kohler, Freshman, Eastern Michigan
Alana Fisher, Senior, Eastern Michigan
Nastia Rudnitskaya, Junior, Kent State
Dani Fuertez, Sophomore, Kent State
Kiera O'Shea, Junior, Northern Illinois
Aliyah Kelly, Freshman, Northern Illinois
Halle Faulkner, Senior, Western Michigan
Reilan Garvey, Freshman, Western Michigan
Players Mentioned
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