Central Michigan University Athletics
Sunday, January 18
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
2:00 p.m.
Central Michigan University
195.000
vs
194.675
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Western Michigan
Photo by: Sydney Kline '26 - @sydney.kline.photography
Gymnastics Bests Western Michigan in Home Opener
1/18/2026 5:20:00 PM | Gymnastics
Chippewas sweep top spots on uneven bars and floor.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Back home in McGuirk, the Chippewas succeed with a gritty victory.
Central Michigan Gymnastics opened its home schedule Sunday night, where the Chippewas outscored Western Michigan 195.000-194.675.
The Chippewas earned their first MAC win of the season by taking three of the four events, led by a sweep on uneven bars with a team score of 49.150.
"Really happy with the outcome," said Head Coach Christine MacDonald. "We wanted to stay focused on us, and I thought the team did a very good job of that."
Lia Kmieciak tied her career-best to win bars with a 9.900 and Luciana Alvarado-Reid placed second with a 9.850. Ava Wellmeier and Kaitlyn Schwab tied for third, each scoring 9.825, and a new career-high for Wellmeier.
"We train to take it one event at a time and this team really rallies around that," said MacDonald. "Our message was to take it one routine at a time and finish strong."
Trailing heading into the final rotation, the Chippewas delivered on floor with a 48.975. Alvarado-Reid capped the meet with an event-winning 9.900, while sophomore Zoë Zimmerman claimed second with a 9.825. Junior Jenna Germond and Wellmeier tied for third, each scoring 9.800.
Junior Zoie Pelfrey took first on balance beam posting a 9.800.
"Very proud of everyone today," said MacDonald. "Nobody gave up and I thought it showed great resilience to working through things even when they are not perfect."
The Chippewas are set to host by Illinois State in McGuirk Arena on Jan. 24 (6 p.m.).
Tickets for the event can be purchased here.
Follow Central Michigan Gymnastics
TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK
— CMU —
Central Michigan Gymnastics opened its home schedule Sunday night, where the Chippewas outscored Western Michigan 195.000-194.675.
The Chippewas earned their first MAC win of the season by taking three of the four events, led by a sweep on uneven bars with a team score of 49.150.
"Really happy with the outcome," said Head Coach Christine MacDonald. "We wanted to stay focused on us, and I thought the team did a very good job of that."
Lia Kmieciak tied her career-best to win bars with a 9.900 and Luciana Alvarado-Reid placed second with a 9.850. Ava Wellmeier and Kaitlyn Schwab tied for third, each scoring 9.825, and a new career-high for Wellmeier.
"We train to take it one event at a time and this team really rallies around that," said MacDonald. "Our message was to take it one routine at a time and finish strong."
Trailing heading into the final rotation, the Chippewas delivered on floor with a 48.975. Alvarado-Reid capped the meet with an event-winning 9.900, while sophomore Zoë Zimmerman claimed second with a 9.825. Junior Jenna Germond and Wellmeier tied for third, each scoring 9.800.
Junior Zoie Pelfrey took first on balance beam posting a 9.800.
"Very proud of everyone today," said MacDonald. "Nobody gave up and I thought it showed great resilience to working through things even when they are not perfect."
The Chippewas are set to host by Illinois State in McGuirk Arena on Jan. 24 (6 p.m.).
Tickets for the event can be purchased here.
Follow Central Michigan Gymnastics
TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK
— CMU —
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