Thursday, February 6
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
6 p.m.
Central Michigan University
196.000
vs
192.375
UW-Oshkosh
Photo by: Joe Grogan '25 - @leazier.media
Gymnastics Soars to Tri-Meet Sweep over SEMO, UW-Oshkosh
2/6/2025 11:44:00 PM | Gymnastics
Chippewas post season-high 196.000 to roll to 6-1 record
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — A celebration of girls and women in sport, and a pair of wins to make it all the sweeter.
Central Michigan Gymnastics came up big in front of its home crowd on Thursday evening to defeat non-league opponents Southeastern Missouri State and UW-Oshkosh with a season-high score of 196.000.
The Chippewas are now 6-1 on the season.
"We're really excited about the outcome today," said Head Coach Christine MacDonald. "We've been working hard for the details to show up on meet day, the girls have been really consistent in the gym.
"We put it all together today to have it be a true team effort, and despite our changes in lineups, our competitive depth really showed today."
Though leading through all four rotations, the Chippewas banded together for an outstanding 49.300 on the floor exercise to seal the deal.
Redshirt freshman Heather Parker got the party started with a career-high 9.825, which set the tone for her remaining five teammates.
Freshmen Zoe Zimmerman and Alisia Murray, alongside junior Avah Bootz and senior Luciana Alvarado-Reid, all scored 9.850s on the event. It was career-highs for Zimmerman and also for Murray, who competed collegiately for the first time.
Senior Hannah Appleget won the event with a career-high 9.900.
The Chippewas all posted top marks on the floor as well as the uneven bars, claiming spots 1-6 in the event rankings.
"We've restructured some routines which has really changed their composition," MacDonald said. "I think the execution really showed up and their performance level was elevated today."
"Today was definitely a highlight; any time you can surpass a 49.000, you're looking at a good day."
The Chippewas swept event wins, including Alvarado-Reid's all-around victory, for the second time this season.
Senior Lia Kmieciak won the vault and uneven bars, sharing the 9.800 vault achievement with Bootz. She scored a season-high 9.875 on the uneven bars, helping CMU to an even 49.000 on the event.
"I want to give a special shoutout to Lia on vault today," said MacDonald of the senior. "That was her first time in the lineup since her injury last year and that was a big moment to get her back in the lineup."
Sophomore Samantha Shannon won the balance beam with a season-high 9.850, leading CMU in its season-high 48.925 performance. Zoie Pelfrey took second with a season-high 9.825, followed by Alvarado-Reid's 9.800.
Alvarado-Reid posted a 39.225 for her third all-around title of the season over SEMO's Taylor Ingle.
CMU is scheduled to jump straight back in on Sunday, returning to Mid-American Conference competition at Ball State. The Chippewas are currently 1-0 in league standings, having earned its first MAC win over Bowling Green on Jan. 17.
"We've been planning for this weekend for over a year," MacDonald said of the busy week. "The schedule is tight, but at the same time, the team has prepared well. We're looking forward to getting on the road and competing in our MAC competitions.
"We are looking to build on our great moments from today."
Central Michigan Gymnastics came up big in front of its home crowd on Thursday evening to defeat non-league opponents Southeastern Missouri State and UW-Oshkosh with a season-high score of 196.000.
The Chippewas are now 6-1 on the season.
"We're really excited about the outcome today," said Head Coach Christine MacDonald. "We've been working hard for the details to show up on meet day, the girls have been really consistent in the gym.
"We put it all together today to have it be a true team effort, and despite our changes in lineups, our competitive depth really showed today."
Though leading through all four rotations, the Chippewas banded together for an outstanding 49.300 on the floor exercise to seal the deal.
Redshirt freshman Heather Parker got the party started with a career-high 9.825, which set the tone for her remaining five teammates.
Freshmen Zoe Zimmerman and Alisia Murray, alongside junior Avah Bootz and senior Luciana Alvarado-Reid, all scored 9.850s on the event. It was career-highs for Zimmerman and also for Murray, who competed collegiately for the first time.
Senior Hannah Appleget won the event with a career-high 9.900.
The Chippewas all posted top marks on the floor as well as the uneven bars, claiming spots 1-6 in the event rankings.
"We've restructured some routines which has really changed their composition," MacDonald said. "I think the execution really showed up and their performance level was elevated today."
"Today was definitely a highlight; any time you can surpass a 49.000, you're looking at a good day."
The Chippewas swept event wins, including Alvarado-Reid's all-around victory, for the second time this season.
Senior Lia Kmieciak won the vault and uneven bars, sharing the 9.800 vault achievement with Bootz. She scored a season-high 9.875 on the uneven bars, helping CMU to an even 49.000 on the event.
"I want to give a special shoutout to Lia on vault today," said MacDonald of the senior. "That was her first time in the lineup since her injury last year and that was a big moment to get her back in the lineup."
Sophomore Samantha Shannon won the balance beam with a season-high 9.850, leading CMU in its season-high 48.925 performance. Zoie Pelfrey took second with a season-high 9.825, followed by Alvarado-Reid's 9.800.
Alvarado-Reid posted a 39.225 for her third all-around title of the season over SEMO's Taylor Ingle.
CMU is scheduled to jump straight back in on Sunday, returning to Mid-American Conference competition at Ball State. The Chippewas are currently 1-0 in league standings, having earned its first MAC win over Bowling Green on Jan. 17.
"We've been planning for this weekend for over a year," MacDonald said of the busy week. "The schedule is tight, but at the same time, the team has prepared well. We're looking forward to getting on the road and competing in our MAC competitions.
"We are looking to build on our great moments from today."
Players Mentioned
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MAC Championships Cinematic Melt
Monday, March 24
Lia Kmieciak Post Championship Interview
Saturday, March 22
Coach MacDonald Post Championship Interview
Saturday, March 22
Hannah Appleget Post Championship Interview
Saturday, March 22