Central Michigan University Athletics
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Alvarado-Reid, Cochran Earn MAC Medal of Excellence Awards
5/29/2026 10:48:00 AM | Football, General, Gymnastics, Our Stories
CLEVELAND – Student-athletes Luciana Alvarado-Reid and Dakota Cochran are Central Michigan's 2026 Mid-American Conference Medal of Excellence recipients.
The two Chippewas received their medals during the league's annual MAC Honors Dinner on Thursday at the Clevelander Hotel. Cochran, a football player, and Alvardo-Reid, a gymnast, were honored along with two student-athletes from each of the league's 11 other institutions at the dinner.
The evening included the induction of the MAC Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Among the members of the class was legendary CMU wrestling coach Tom Borrelli.
The Medal of Excellence goes annually to two student-athletes, one male and one female, from each fulltime MAC member.
"Both Luciana and Dakota are the personification of the ideal student-athlete," said Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan, who was among a contingent of Chippewas who attended the ceremony. "Both excelled in the classroom and in the athletic arena, were exemplary in their approach to both, and remain leaders among their teammates and fellow students."
Cochran, who hails from Shaker Heights, Ohio, earned All-MAC honors in 2025 in helping lead one of the league's best defenses from his linebacker position. He is one of just eight CMU football players to earn Academic All-MAC honors in each of his four years of eligibility, he is a three-time College Sports Communicators All-District Team.
Alvarado-Reid, who came to CMU from Cartago, Costa Rica, twice earned the MAC Gymnast of the Year Award, highlighting one of the most decorated careers for a gymnast in CMU history. She helped lead the Chippewas to three MAC Championships titles, was a four-time Academic All-MAC honoree, and earned Academic All-America honors from the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association in her career.
The two Chippewas received their medals during the league's annual MAC Honors Dinner on Thursday at the Clevelander Hotel. Cochran, a football player, and Alvardo-Reid, a gymnast, were honored along with two student-athletes from each of the league's 11 other institutions at the dinner.
The evening included the induction of the MAC Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Among the members of the class was legendary CMU wrestling coach Tom Borrelli.
The Medal of Excellence goes annually to two student-athletes, one male and one female, from each fulltime MAC member.
"Both Luciana and Dakota are the personification of the ideal student-athlete," said Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan, who was among a contingent of Chippewas who attended the ceremony. "Both excelled in the classroom and in the athletic arena, were exemplary in their approach to both, and remain leaders among their teammates and fellow students."
Cochran, who hails from Shaker Heights, Ohio, earned All-MAC honors in 2025 in helping lead one of the league's best defenses from his linebacker position. He is one of just eight CMU football players to earn Academic All-MAC honors in each of his four years of eligibility, he is a three-time College Sports Communicators All-District Team.
Alvarado-Reid, who came to CMU from Cartago, Costa Rica, twice earned the MAC Gymnast of the Year Award, highlighting one of the most decorated careers for a gymnast in CMU history. She helped lead the Chippewas to three MAC Championships titles, was a four-time Academic All-MAC honoree, and earned Academic All-America honors from the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association in her career.
Players Mentioned
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