On Sunday, March 8, the Eastern Michigan University gymnastics team traveled to the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio, to compete in a high-stakes quad meet against some of the nation's top programs. The Eagles faced off against No. 17 Ohio State, No. 21 NC State, and No. 19 Penn State in a contest that tested their depth and consistency.
While the Eagles finished fourth with a total score of 194.725, the meet was defined by a surge of individual excellence. The host Buckeyes claimed first place with a 197.150, followed by NC State at 196.625 and Penn State at 196.550. Although Eastern trailed the ranked field in total points, the team utilized the platform to secure six new career highs, signaling a peak in performance as the postseason approaches.
Steady opening on the beam
Eastern Michigan began their afternoon on the balance beam, where they established a solid foundation with a team score of 48.775. Sophomore Kyrie Lowe led the way for the Eagles, delivering a 9.775 that earned her a tie for 12th place in the individual standings. She was closely supported by Keeley Kohler, who posted a 9.725.
The rotation remained consistent as Jacquelyn Patterson and Katin Childress each contributed scores of 9.700. Macy Nihart added a 9.500 to the team total, while Genae Daniel performed in an exhibition spot, allowing the Eagles to navigate their first rotation with poise.
Momentum builds on the floor and the vault
Moving to the floor exercise, the Eagles found their rhythm, recording a 48.550 and seeing several athletes reach new personal milestones. Abby Brushwood and Macy Nihart anchored the lineup with matching scores of 9.825. For Nihart, the performance represented a career-best score. The career-high trend continued with Kendall Landry and Priya Karle, who both notched personal bests of 9.800. Sanai Evans added to the momentum by recording a career-best 9.750.
The third rotation took the Eagles to the vault, where they totaled a 48.400. Genae Daniel was the standout in this event, tying for eighth place overall with a score of 9.800. Kyrie Lowe continued her strong all-around day by hitting a career-high 9.775 on the vault. Other contributors included Georgie Slack with a 9.750, while Landry and Gwendelyn Cantu each posted scores of 9.725. Brushwood rounded out the scoring lineup with a 9.700.
Finishing strong on the bars
Eastern Michigan saved its highest event score for the final rotation, posting a 49.000 on the uneven bars. This rotation was characterized by precision, led again by Kyrie Lowe and Jacquelyn Patterson, who both paced the Eagles with scores of 9.775.
The Eagles saw another milestone in this event as Georgie Slack recorded a career-best 9.675. Sanai Evans provided a glimpse into the team's depth by posting a season-best 9.575 in an exhibition routine. The scoring lineup was finalized by Kohler (9.675), Cantu (9.650), and Daniel (9.625), allowing the Eagles to end the meet on a high note.
Individual accolades and next steps
In the all-around competition, Kyrie Lowe finished with a total score of 38.175. Her performance across all four events was central to the Eagles’ ability to remain competitive against three ranked opponents.
With the regular season drawing to a close, the Eagles will now shift their focus back to conference play. Eastern Michigan is scheduled to travel to Kent, Ohio, on Saturday, March 15, for a 1 p.m. showdown against Kent State. This meet represents the Eagles' final Mid-American Conference (MAC) competition before heading into the MAC Championships. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN+ as the team looks to carry the momentum of their six career highs into the postseason.
