Central Michigan Gymnastics Defeats Northern Illinois

Chippewas win 3 out of 4 events in conference matchup

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Central Michigan gymnastics team defeated Mid-American Conference opponent Northern Illinois in a road meet, winning three out of four events. The Chippewas are now 10-1 overall and 5-0 in the conference after the 195.250-192.800 victory over the Huskies.

Why it matters

This win keeps Central Michigan's gymnastics team undefeated in conference play as they prepare for a quad meet against ranked opponents. The Chippewas are looking to build momentum heading into the postseason.

The details

Central Michigan opened the meet with a 49.125 sweep on bars, led by graduate student Lia Kmieciak's career-tying 9.950 to claim the event title. The Chippewas also posted strong scores on vault (48.725) and floor (48.875), with Luciana Alvarado-Reid and Kmieciak tying for the vault title. Alvarado-Reid also tied her career high on beam with a 9.925 to win that event.

  • The meet took place on Friday, February 27, 2026.
  • Central Michigan's next competition is a quad meet at No. 18 Iowa on March 6 (7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT).

The players

Lia Kmieciak

A graduate student on the Central Michigan gymnastics team who tied her career high on bars with a 9.950 to win the event.

Luciana Alvarado-Reid

A senior on the Central Michigan gymnastics team who tied for the vault title with a season-best 9.825 and won the beam event with a 9.925, tying her career high.

Zoë Zimmerman

A gymnast on the Central Michigan team who tied for second on floor with a 9.825.

Zoie Pelfrey

A junior on the Central Michigan gymnastics team who finished second on beam with a 9.825.

Ava Wellmeier

A sophomore on the Central Michigan gymnastics team who finished third on bars with a 9.800.

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What they’re saying

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The takeaway

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