The Eastern Michigan University gymnastics team is prepared to conclude its milestone 50th varsity season with a pursuit of conference glory at the 2026 Mid-American Conference Championships. The meet is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, at 2 p.m. inside the Stroh Center in Bowling Green, Ohio. Entering the competition as the 2025 conference runners-up, the Eagles are aiming to secure their first championship since 2021 and the fifth in the program's history.
Historical significance and the Stroh Center connection
This year’s championship carries a unique historical weight as EMU celebrates 50 years as a varsity program, having launched in 1976. The venue choice of the Stroh Center is particularly auspicious for the Eagles; the last time Bowling Green hosted the MAC Championships in 2017, Eastern Michigan emerged victorious with a team score of 196.500. In that nail-biting finish, the Eagles defeated the host Falcons by a slim 0.100 margin, a feat they hope to replicate as they return to the same floor nearly a decade later.
EMU’s championship pedigree includes titles won in 2007, 2016, 2017, and 2021. Head coach Katie Minasola, now in her ninth season, was at the helm for the most recent victory in 2021 and has guided the program to NCAA Regional appearances in six of her eight full seasons.
Leading the charge: Lowe and Nihart
The Eagles’ postseason aspirations rest heavily on the shoulders of senior Kyrie Lowe, who has enjoyed a standout final campaign. Lowe was recently named the MAC Gymnast of the Week on March 17 after recording back-to-back career-best all-around scores, including a 39.200 against Kent State. Her efforts throughout the year earned her All-MAC Second Team honors, highlighted by a career-high 9.900 on the balance beam—the highest score recorded by any Eagle this season.
Complementing Lowe’s veteran experience is breakout freshman Macy Nihart, who made history by becoming the first EMU freshman since 2015 to earn All-MAC honors. Nihart, named to the All-MAC Freshman Team on floor, has been a model of consistency, averaging a 9.790 on the event with a personal best of 9.825.
Depth and consistency across the rotation
The Eagles' strength lies in their lineup depth, returning 14 gymnasts from the previous season—the highest number of returners in the conference alongside Kent State. Key specialists include:
- Abby Brushwood (Junior): A floor exercise powerhouse who has scored 9.825 or higher in eight of 11 meets this season.
- Katin Childress (Junior): Childress has provided a steady presence, never dropping below a 9.025 in any meet this year.
- Keeley Kohler (Sophomore): Recognized as a "Gymnast to Watch" in the preseason, Kohler is a critical contributor on the uneven bars.
Additionally, the roster features Georgie Slack, believed to be the first international gymnast from Europe (England) in the program's history.
The competitive landscape
Despite their success as 2025 runners-up, the Eagles enter the meet ranked No. 52 nationally according to Road To Nationals. Within the MAC, Central Michigan, Ball State, and Kent State hold the top three national rankings, followed by Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan. In the preseason coaches’ poll, the Eagles were projected to tie for third place, indicating that the league’s coaches view them as a formidable contender for the title.
Rotation Strategy and Coverage
For the championship meet, the Eagles will follow a specific rotation order designed to build momentum. Eastern Michigan will begin competition on the uneven bars during Rotation I. The full sequence for the team will be:
- Bars
- Beam
- Bye
- Floor
- Vault
- Bye
- Bye
Fans can follow the action live on ESPN+, and those traveling to Bowling Green can find the EMU faithful in Section 114 of the Stroh Center. Tickets are available for $10 for adults and $8 for youth, while MAC students with a valid ID receive free admission. As the Eagles march into the Stroh Center, they carry 50 years of history and the momentum of a program that has proven it can peak when the lights are brightest.
