CMU gymnastics showcases talent ahead of the upcoming season
The Central Michigan Gymnastics team is coming into the season with eyes on them as the defending Mid-American Conference champions.
CMU placed first in the MAC championship last season with a score of 196.275 topping both Northern Illinois (196.125) and Western Michigan (196.075). The Chippewas tied for the regular season title with a 5-1 overall record.
The MAC released the pre-season coaches’ poll on Jan. 6, which favored the Chippewas to win not only the regular season title but the conference tournament as well.
The team received four tournament votes while Ball State had two votes, and Western Michigan had one vote.
The Chippewas hosted a showcase on Saturday to give fans a glimpse of the season ahead, with gymnasts showing off their skills in vault, beam, bars and floor.
Central Michigan returns key members of the team including, senior Hannah DeMers and junior Katie Kowalski.
Last season, DeMers was the 2022 MAC Gymnast of the Year and received an individual championship in the all-around category. She also received MAC Gymnast of the Week honors five times last season and earned All-MAC First Team honors.
Kowalski won an individual MAC championship last season for vault and was named to the All-MAC second team.
Both gymnasts competed in all 11 meets last season and earned NCAA Regional berths.
The Chippewas had a promising finish during an exhibition at Michigan in early December. The team placed second out of four teams with an overall score of 195.875.
CMU kicks off their official season on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the New Hampshire Tri-Meet.
