CMU gymnastics flies high, repeats as MAC champions
Alvarado-Reid takes the all-around, MacDonald wins MAC Coach of the Year
Senior Luciana Alvarado-Reid led Central Michigan gymnastics to its second consecutive Mid-American Conference championship on Saturday. On top of the title, Alvarado-Reid also earned MAC Senior Gymnast of the Year and MAC Gymnast of the Year while tying for first in two events and winning the all-around.
The title marks the 20th MAC championship in program history for the Chippewas, who repeated after winning at home last season. Alvarado-Reid is the first Chippewa to sweep the awards since Denelle Pedrick in 2020.
Graduate student Lia Kmieciak also won on vault during the weekend.
“They knew what was expected today and they knew how to perform,” CMU head coach Christine MacDonald said about her team’s success. “They just truly trusted each other and the performances.”
MacDonald was named MAC Coach of the Year for the second time in her career. The Chippewas’ undefeated conference record was a first for MacDonald in her seventh year at the helm at CMU.
“This group has been amazing, and it's been such a journey,” MacDonald said. “We've been working so hard for every day and every outcome. I'm so happy and so proud of them because today was truly a team effort. We showed a lot of fight and a lot of grit today.”
This win marks the Chippewas’ fourth MAC championship in the last five years. For the second season in a row, CMU has won both the MAC regular-season and MAC championship titles.
The Chippewas finished with a team score of 196.025, tying their highest score of the season. Ball State finished second with 195.800, followed by Kent State in third with 195.325.
“I think it was just a culmination of all the hard work and trusting in the process,” MacDonald said.
On the day, CMU placed first on beam with 49.125, finished second on vault and bars with 49.100 and 48.625, respectively, and tied for second on floor with 49.175.
Alvarado-Reid and Kmieciak tied for first on vault with scores of 9.850. Alvarado-Reid also tied for first on the balance beam with a score of 9.875.
Along with their podium finishes, Alvarado-Reid and Kmieciak were named to the 2026 MAC Gymnastics All-Tournament Team.
As one of the top 36 teams in the nation, CMU awaits its selection for the NCAA gymnastics championships, which will take place at noon Monday, March 23, on ESPNU.
Once selected, the Chippewas will set their sights on NCAA regionals, scheduled for April 1-5.
