Central Michigan Gymnastics Wins 2nd Straight MAC Championships Title

Luciana Alvarado-Reid and Lea Kmieciak lead Chippewas to victory

Mar. 22, 2026 at 12:22am

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The Central Michigan University gymnastics team successfully defended their Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championships title, winning their fourth MAC title in the last five years. Luciana Alvarado-Reid won the all-around competition and placed first in two events, while Lea Kmieciak also had a first-place finish on vault. The Chippewas finished with a team score of 196.025, defeating runner-up Ball State's 195.800.

Why it matters

Central Michigan's gymnastics program has established itself as a dominant force in the MAC, winning 20 conference titles in program history. This latest championship continues the team's strong run of success and cements their status as one of the top gymnastics programs in the region.

The details

The Chippewas posted the top balance beam score of the day at 49.125 and also tied for second on floor exercise with a 49.175. Alvarado-Reid and Kmieciak both tied for first on vault with 9.850 scores, while Alvarado-Reid also won the balance beam title with a 9.875. Alvarado-Reid claimed her 37th career all-around gold with a 39.325 score.

  • The MAC Championships were held on March 21, 2026 in Bowling Green, Ohio.

The players

Luciana Alvarado-Reid

A senior gymnast at Central Michigan University who won the all-around competition and placed first in two events at the 2026 MAC Championships.

Lea Kmieciak

A gymnast at Central Michigan University who tied for first place on vault at the 2026 MAC Championships.

Christine MacDonald

The head coach of the Central Michigan University gymnastics team, who was named the 2026 MAC Coach of the Year.

Ball State

The runner-up team at the 2026 MAC Championships, finishing second with a 195.800 team score.

Central Michigan University

The gymnastics program that won its fourth MAC Championships title in the last five years, cementing its status as a dominant force in the conference.

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What’s next

The Central Michigan gymnastics team will now prepare for the NCAA Regional Championships, where they will look to qualify for the NCAA National Championships and continue their successful season.

The takeaway

Central Michigan's gymnastics program has established itself as a consistent powerhouse in the Mid-American Conference, winning multiple conference titles in recent years. The team's depth and talent, led by standout performers like Luciana Alvarado-Reid and Lea Kmieciak, have made the Chippewas a force to be reckoned with in the region.