Friday, March 14
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
6 p.m.
Central Michigan University
194.400
vs
194.175
Northern Illinois
Photo by: Lauren Verellen '26 - @laurenverellen_photography
Gymnastics Celebrates Senior Day, wins Regular Season Finale over NIU
3/14/2025 11:53:00 PM | Gymnastics
Chippewas honor six seniors after defeating Huskies in regular season finale
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — A sweet celebration to conclude Central Michigan Gymnastics' regular season.
The Chippewas defeated Mid-American Conference opponent Northern Illinois, 194.400-194.175, on Friday evening in McGuirk Arena to propel CMU to a 14-3 regular season and 5-1 league finish for the 2025 season.
CMU honored its six seniors in a post-meet ceremony, all of whom saw action on Friday night.
"There was a lot of emotion going into today," said Head Coach Christine MacDonald. "Senior night brings a lot of that emotion; I thought our team did a really good job at celebrating those individual successes today. It was great to be able to celebrate our seniors in front of our fans and families, that final time in McGuirk is always special."
Senior Lia Kmieciak got things rolling with a season-best score of 9.850 on the vault, earning her third title on the event since returning to the lineup on Feb. 6.
Seniors Quinn Skrupa and Hannah Appleget also earned podium finishes; the pair tied for 2nd on the floor exercise with a score of 9.800 and Appleget placed third on beam with a 9.775.
The three were honored alongside Avah Bootz, a mainstay to CMU's vault and floor lineup, Ariana Light, who competes on the balance beam, and Alexis Garcia, who saw action with a beam exhibition on senior night.
"They're a great group," MacDonald said of the seniors. "They have been a very united group and really work to support each other and build this team up every chance they get. There were so many highlights today and things to celebrate, the entire team did a really great job at highlighting these seniors.
"I was super excited to see Alexis Garcia compete an exhibition today, she's had unfortunate setbacks with injuries over the years but has never stopped working and never stopped being a true teammate. To see her be able to go out there today and shine in that moment is really special."
CMU, as a team, won three events. Alongside Kmieciak's victory on the vault, Luciana Alvarado-Reid tied her career-high of 9.950 on the uneven bars and freshman Ava Wellmeier won the floor exercise
with a score of 9.825.
Wellmeier tied for third on vault with a score of 9.825.
Alongside Alvarado-Reid on the uneven bars podium were Samatha Shannon, who tied her career-best 9.875 for second place, and Gabrielle Johnson, who scored 9.825 to place third.
Freshman Zoe Zimmerman scored 9.800 on the floor exercise to tie for second alongside her senior teammates.
"They really earned those scores today," said MacDonald. "There were exceptional routines today and that is what we have been working towards every practice.
"We've really been focusing on the details and to see it come out today for those individuals is something worth celebrating."
The Chippewas, not done on their home floor just yet, look onward to the 2025 Mid-American Conference Championships in McGuirk Arena on Saturday, March 22.
"It was nice to be back home this weekend," MacDonald said. "It's been a while since we've been home, so looking towards Championships, it's always nice to host it, but at the same time it's such a different event; it really takes its own shape and energy.
"I think our team is prepared and we're going to walk in there ready to compete, strong minded and ready to take full advantage of this opportunity."
The Chippewas defeated Mid-American Conference opponent Northern Illinois, 194.400-194.175, on Friday evening in McGuirk Arena to propel CMU to a 14-3 regular season and 5-1 league finish for the 2025 season.
CMU honored its six seniors in a post-meet ceremony, all of whom saw action on Friday night.
"There was a lot of emotion going into today," said Head Coach Christine MacDonald. "Senior night brings a lot of that emotion; I thought our team did a really good job at celebrating those individual successes today. It was great to be able to celebrate our seniors in front of our fans and families, that final time in McGuirk is always special."
Senior Lia Kmieciak got things rolling with a season-best score of 9.850 on the vault, earning her third title on the event since returning to the lineup on Feb. 6.
Seniors Quinn Skrupa and Hannah Appleget also earned podium finishes; the pair tied for 2nd on the floor exercise with a score of 9.800 and Appleget placed third on beam with a 9.775.
The three were honored alongside Avah Bootz, a mainstay to CMU's vault and floor lineup, Ariana Light, who competes on the balance beam, and Alexis Garcia, who saw action with a beam exhibition on senior night.
"They're a great group," MacDonald said of the seniors. "They have been a very united group and really work to support each other and build this team up every chance they get. There were so many highlights today and things to celebrate, the entire team did a really great job at highlighting these seniors.
"I was super excited to see Alexis Garcia compete an exhibition today, she's had unfortunate setbacks with injuries over the years but has never stopped working and never stopped being a true teammate. To see her be able to go out there today and shine in that moment is really special."
CMU, as a team, won three events. Alongside Kmieciak's victory on the vault, Luciana Alvarado-Reid tied her career-high of 9.950 on the uneven bars and freshman Ava Wellmeier won the floor exercise
with a score of 9.825.
Wellmeier tied for third on vault with a score of 9.825.
Alongside Alvarado-Reid on the uneven bars podium were Samatha Shannon, who tied her career-best 9.875 for second place, and Gabrielle Johnson, who scored 9.825 to place third.
Freshman Zoe Zimmerman scored 9.800 on the floor exercise to tie for second alongside her senior teammates.
"They really earned those scores today," said MacDonald. "There were exceptional routines today and that is what we have been working towards every practice.
"We've really been focusing on the details and to see it come out today for those individuals is something worth celebrating."
The Chippewas, not done on their home floor just yet, look onward to the 2025 Mid-American Conference Championships in McGuirk Arena on Saturday, March 22.
"It was nice to be back home this weekend," MacDonald said. "It's been a while since we've been home, so looking towards Championships, it's always nice to host it, but at the same time it's such a different event; it really takes its own shape and energy.
"I think our team is prepared and we're going to walk in there ready to compete, strong minded and ready to take full advantage of this opportunity."
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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