Season Opener Success at Southeast Missouri State
The Central Michigan Gymnastics team kicked off its 2026 season on a high note at Southeast Missouri State (SEMO). The Chippewas scored 194.750, surpassing SEMO’s 192.800 and Fisk’s 188.600. Their strongest performance was on vault, where they achieved a score of 48.825.
Head Coach Christine MacDonald expressed her satisfaction with the team’s performance. “We’ve been working hard since summer, and it was great to see everyone hit their routines in front of a crowd,” she noted. This marks MacDonald’s seventh year as head coach.
Senior Luciana Alvarado-Reid and junior Samantha Shannon stood out in the all-around competition. Alvarado-Reid took first place with 39.200, while Shannon followed closely in second with 38.900. Both athletes were recognized earlier as “Gymnasts to Watch” by the Mid-American Conference.
MacDonald praised their teamwork, saying, “They feed off each other, and it was wonderful to see their combination come together.” Shannon, in particular, shined in her all-around debut, showcasing a new floor routine she developed over the summer.
The Chippewas started strong on the beam, scoring 48.425 and executing all six routines flawlessly. Gabrielle Johnson even set a personal best with 9.625 on the beam.
In addition to their established gymnasts, CMU welcomed freshmen Alexandra Reddick and Ashlyn Richards, who made their collegiate debuts on vault and beam, respectively. MacDonald highlighted the importance of this new talent: “Having fresh faces shows the depth of our team.”
Their solid performance is a promising sign as the season progresses. CMU will host back-to-back home meets at McGuirk Arena, starting with Western Michigan on January 18.
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