College Salute Podcast from the R5 Insider

It came down to fingers at MAC's, perfect on beam for an alum in the SEC, Did I call the MAC Freshman of the Year, and did NIU make a line-up mistake this season that might have been a Regional Qualifier, MOC a SU is a conference Champ, and they HYPE Man is all that with pounds of sweat oh and PSU for Pit Crew of the year. It's Championship season and it's off to a HOT start let's rap on Week 12!

It was the weekend of Lasts, a 10 on senior night for an alum, last home meet for a program legend coach, Silent at CMU. We had some long reach out and grab that bar moments this week, last time Westwood oh and maybe the judges wont notice if we just keeping steppin through week 11, let's rap

We went to church this week and bailed right after, breaking house records in Arkansas with Chick Fil a, Kim's crying it's that time again,a first 10 in a long while and then one perfect 10 and 9 oh so close, Jordan is at it again it was a moment made from bronze, more celes and a D3 9.925 conference champion and the routine was FIRE! As they say at UNC, Keep on Keeping on … so Amen to that lets Rap on Week 10.

Kim's last time in the chair for this season and there was a lot going on boxes jumping in and out, its the Drake Dawson show at NIU and Iowa and OSU had a good fight going on but Iowa has a Tyson, It might be the Choe Show for Illinois but it was a vault clinic at Oregon State, we got dancing, props and a whole production from ISU, Did Sam Peszak make a comeback and compete for CMU, Olympians galore at Stanford or maybe soon to be, a couple deltchevs, a double layout that will make your mouth drop and a possible new career as a pep rally hype women that and more lets rap on Week 9

Are you watching the IVY League? Well you should be, and we have an alum who is an IVY Champ in 2026, 1st ever meeting in a dual for these two teams, the text book front double full fronts continues, another bar ninja and bounder on floor that Kim is head over heels about... that and more let's RAP

Week 7 was heaven when we are talking commentary, we have a lesson in right from left this week, CLEMSON CLEMSON CLEMSON, Kim we have a love for a mount as much as you love the jump over the low bar, a bar routine that was a breath of fresh air at least for me, let's go straight back down with a twist um ok, we have an athlete compete this week that is apparently over 100 years old and we got Nastia but in a beam mount that and much more with a twist.

It's the half way point of the season and the Eagles were out in numbers, I mean could Hype be considered a calorie workout. NIU plays savorer this week, a first official AA performance and she won but we would be out of our mind to not include Klein. We are gonna talk vault and Kim was not in the booth this week but in the commentary she was very present. D3 doing it again this week, if falls are highlights your really missed a good one, and the best Yurchenko double done this season with a college salute, but it wasn't on the women's side, we got a lot lets Rap on Week 6.

Ninja like abilities from 2 Alums this week, and upset... maybe not, The parody in all of gymnastics gets closer every year because D3 is bringing it, some cool skill combos that I have never seen, the post routine antics continue to be lit, Kim wants a commentator team tunnel, and always be awesome strong and beautiful Kims words to live by. Hey we Stopped, Dropped and Diamond Cooked lets rap on week 5.

Can we get the names right.... Hey even I struggled this week! We have a new Region 5 alum in the broadcast booth, History made at Western Michigan, doing some jumping jacks behind the scenes at NIU. The stick drill as an XCEL dismount? A hot mic moment we needed, way to much to mention at Utah State but we will, Denver's head coach manifests a good routine oh and did you know the events are called Elements, and an MVP i didn't expect that and more from NCAA Week 4.

The Float and Flair has entered the airspace for 2026 and The Aerial RO sponsors this weeks podcast. NC State and Clemson's leos can be use to shine light in dark spaces and we know of one, more Kaz vault talk, and we show some love to our friend Aleena. Plus our 2nd 10 of the week and beam routine above NY City, Tara Walsh, Katie Harper and the rest of our R5 University line up for Week 3 lets go

Week 2 in the NCAA and we have a Revenge Tour taking shape. Our first perfect 10 of vaulted into the season, Michigan State has full Region 5 Line-ups and the best post routine antics you have ever seen. Did we crown the national champion at the Sprouts meet... You would have thought by the commentary! We had a scroll of freshman debuts this week, the Ohio State crowd might have been mainly bull dog fans and the beam team in our R5 University Line-up killed it that and much more.

Hot Tamalas are back for a 7th, new dismount combo becoming popular, it's an Olympia gymnastics reunion on this episode with Tara Walsh and Ella Schelll. We got Gianna Gerdes in all 4 events, a NEW VAULT though she did tell us she was doing it on our alum convo. KJ Kindler's OU Sooners didn't compete in week 1 but her daughter did. Kim and I discuss what year is ok too be nominated as captain, MVP's, D3 athlete of the week and how did our R5 University Line-up do in week 1...

It's that time again, college gymnastics is upon us and we get the season started quick with the first competitions taking place the first weekend of 2026. On this preview show we highlight the new freshman we are excited to see. We used our R5 University to showcase current alums in the NCAA who know we will see or hope we see. Kim and I were required to pick six on each event and weren't allowed to repeat, but you know that Kim didn't follow that rule. The NQS will be tabulated differently this year and we briefly break that down as well as give you our line-up meets for week 1. The College Salute is ready to bring you all the action from our alums and more in the NCAA all season long and we begin today.

In part 2 with Missouri Sophomore Kaia Tanskanen, we talk all about her decision to compete for Finland, how it came to be, and what it was like joining the Finnish National Team. Kaia has some cool stories about her initial experiences and competing for Finland at the beginning. We talked about her freshman season in Part 1 and we continue with 2nd half of her year long gymnastics season with the fall elite competitions. The Risk and Reward of doing new routines and a brand new skill on floor which became the first Finnish women to ever compete. She gives more stories and facts about leading into this season and competing the double double along with competing with her boyfriend Robert Kermes, a fellow Finnish National Team member. All this and a bit more in this fun part 2 with Kaia.

We had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Missouri sophomore Kaia Tanskanen after long season and balancing both college gymnastics and elite gymnastics representing Finland. In this part 1 of our two part podcast with Kaia, we talk all about Mizzou and the moments that stood out from her freshman year and how she balanced competing in college while still maintaining her elite routines. She gives some BTS insights to the teams and her thoughts during the crazy NCAA Regionals and Nationals experience and of course we take her back to memories of being part of Region 5. That and more in this Part 1 with Kaia.

Part 2 - Finland: Competing in elite while in college, Europeans, the first for a Finnish Women on floor and 3 time is a charge at Worlds.

I remember her BHS Arabian on beam at the Region 5 training camp at the University of Michigan and saying who is that kid! Well she went on to win many state and regional titles and become one of our Region 5 Dream Team stand outs! She now is living her best life in Athens Georgia as a Gym Dawg. She is an All American a Youtuber and one of the leaders of the GymDawgs. We welcome Georgia Junior Ady Wahl to the show. She talks about her decision to go to college early out of high school, reflects on her first two years at Georgia, the 2025 NCAA Nationals experience and insights to the 2026 Gym Dawgs.

We have another awesome Region 5 Alum guest for you today who is just missing the Lion because she has the bears and now the tigers OH MY! She has one of the biggest Jaegers in the uneven bar business oh and a personality that's just as big and we are all about it! Our guest today is Ella Cesario and we will take her back to her Region 5 days, her knee injury that took her out of her senior year of high school and freshman year at Cal, the highs and lows at Cal and of course whats next at Clemson.

We are back with our Alumni Conversations and we are starting off with a bang what to know WHO well the Beam QUEEN of 2025 herself Helen HU! She returned to the NCAA after a year off and was perfect literally as well as collect some much deserved hardware and really it was about time HU DAT was all THAT in the eyes of the judges. We are going to have a FULL OUT breakdown of this last cinderella year and get her impressions from the 10.0's to the championships to the Tatooe! We cover it all.

Hu DAT giving us that NATTY, Moores no more but she got her floor, an SEC Tiger advanced but not the one we all thought, Gantner the Closer again, Bowers bowed one last time with some nice hardware to show for it, BOOMER… SKELETON OR SPINE we'll need to ask Zirbes we got it all let's go!

3 Alums with 10's during Regional Weekend, One of us correctly picked the 8 teams moving on, not alums but can we talk Paige Zancan and Maggie Slife, MORE HYPE MOMENTS, some very nice KAZZZZZZZ's this weekend, It was really a really exciting final day of regionals with it coming down to tenths. We saw the final salutes for many of our alums this weekend and a future Alanta Falcons Cheerleader well she is HYPE let's go!

4 Regionals, 4 Play Ins beginning Wed, 8 Semi Finals, 4 finals and that's just to get to the NCAA Championships! Yes it's going to be a long week of gymnastics and we are breaking down where our Region 5 Alums are competing and what routines we expect to see, that and our bracket breakdown, let's go!

Its March MATness and this week it's Conference Championships, the closet was even darker this weekend, Holly Molly is that a technical term, You get a 10 and you get a 10 but an Alum was a 10 on floor once again, and the MAC needs to make some changes, Riley McCuster is my MVP well for the intro at least, and did you know Gymnastics takes a lifetime to do well oh and SUKI Pfister that and much more... IT's a CELL- A - BRATION of GOOD GYMNASTICS let's go!

SHOW NOTES:

FAB 5

Region 5 University Line Up

Social Salute

Behind the Scenes

D3 Athlete of the Week- Paige Magel, White Water (D3 National Beam Champion)

They DID That... OR DIDN't

College Salute Week 12 Awards

Regular season is over, It was apparently NIp and Tuck at Emu, Another 10 for You Know HU, some older players this week, a first for the wolverines, Dark Horses are Rising, Cha Cha Slide beam music and we will Press TO PERFECTION Lets Go!

The Cherry Blossoms might not be blooming yet but GW sure is, the senior nights have begun and Kim is not doing well, Boo BIrds at OU.... Ok some skill corrections for our commentating friends, D3 awesomeness continues and more great gymnastics from around the country. We are late this week but we are here and please enjoy!

video of the podcast https://youtu.be/i4guITlFKI0

Lot's of moving parts this week, BIG Impact in the Big Ten for UCLA, Pull her string and the Teddy bear will tell you stories, the season's 1st 10 on vault and a vault that was perfect but not so maybe not so Pleased as Punch. WMU is hitting their stride and a freshman has a lot to do with that, who could be the BIG Ten Specialist of the Year and this years post routine hype BIG HEARTS lets go!

We have another alum 10, some cotton candy during beam, more bar cameras that make you dizzy, Ashley defies any physics and finally we get Olivia Karas its Massive! Is it old school, a higgins roll, or the sticky Kool Aid that an more from week 8 let's go!

Video of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHLEfRkR8Mk

Show Notes:

Social Salute (03:23)

FAB 5 (06:23)

DEBUTS (12:11)

D3 Athlete of the Week (13:14)

They DID THAT! (15:44)

R5 University Line-up for Week 8 (45:17) Presented by Full Out Recruiting Line-up meets:

Is it WAHL or WALLY's World I am here for both, It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time, a new alum 10 this week, a few debuts, dramatic walkers, moonwalkers and even Grace Walker. We have awarded another minus to stream network this week, oh and the commentary quotes in week 7 plus it's NQS time so where does the R5 University rank.

video of podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85DGBU_sfUE

Show Notes:

Social Salute (03:44)

FAB 5 (08:38)

DEBUTS (13:06)

D3 Athlete of the Week (18:44)

They DID THAT! (22:39)

R5 University Line-up for Week 5 (1:02:27) Presented by Full Out Recruiting

Line-up meets:

It's ABSOLUTELY Week 6 and I ABSOLUTELY saw Great Flips, Outstanding Twists and A DIsmount, I kinda learned what Flopping was and a whole lot of other meaningless stuff FLIP FLIP FLOP. The Crazy town at NIU but a fun reunion for me, Sneaky Suki IS ABSOLUTELY back, more behind the mic moments from Kim, Mati Waligora, Alisia Murray, Towson Bars and the Hype of Cory plus our R5 University scores. Let's Go!

Video of Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_W94vAmKuM

Show Notes:

Behind the Scenes (03:54)

FAB 5 (28:46)

DEBUTS (36:29)

D3 Athlete of the Week (37:58)

They DID THAT! (40:28)

R5 University Line-up for Week 6 (1:10:04) Presented by Full Out Recruiting

Line-up meets:

Can I get a WHO ARE WE! WEEK 5! 4 year long wait is over.... a senior debut routine that all are talking about and she is Region 5 alum. Some commentary and stream things again this week from our spotlight meets that we have issues with. We have a new way in which to begin a bar routine and shoot bow and arrows in a routine, pat your head and rub your belly during a routine and the R5 University had to call in reinforcements… That and more and as Jacey Vore says LET'S GO!

Video of podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z0mFx4tAv4

Show Notes:

FAB 5

DEBUTS

D3 Athlete of the Week

They DID THAT!

R5 University Line-up for Week 5

Line-up meets:

Judging issues continue, this week is brought to you by the triple flight and maybe some sticky feet. Kim has lots to say about the E for Ella meet and the broadcast choices at Ball State. The vaults, the beams, the speedos yes you read that right, Jesus moment and maybe even new Eagle friend. How did the R5 University do in week 4 let's find out!

Video of podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sga16mn3vk

Show Notes:

Behind the Scenes: Kim at the mic this time EMU vs Kent State

FAB 5

DEBUTS

D3 Athlete of the Week

They DID THAT!

R5 University Line-up for Week 4

Line-up meets:

A new arena was introduced to college gymnastics, EMU had its Golden Girls but the commentary wasn't always golden. We tried to re-invited math at CMU, Kim was praised by a Facebook college gymnastics chat group and the the amount of textbook front tumbling we saw this week. It was the very first 10 of an alums career which is mind blowing and the R5 University line-up was on fire in week 3.

We sprouted roots in the couch this week with all the gymnastics for the College Quads. Week 2 saw more Region 5 Alums deput including a senior we have been waiting to see compete for four years. Kim calls 9 1 1 on a score robbery and gives Audrey Davis a fruit basket. We witnessed a true full out on floor, Tory Vetter there's no better with 1992 living forever in our minds. D3 Athlete of the Week, MVP's and the R5 Line-up scores for Week 2 in the NCAA.... Let's GO!

8 Freshman debut routines in week 1 and one debuted in the AA. Helen Hu made front aerials look as easy as forward rolls, Missouri is going to be what we thought they would be, THEY DID THAT yes WMU Alum with a beam routine and an Towson athlete with a bar combo that needs attention. Our R5 University Line-up started a bit slow, Alien and Chain things with CMU and Kim it's week 1 and of course we have camera angle issues.

Here we go again, College Gymnastics is back and we have many Region 5 Alums more like hundreds and thats no joke to talk about over the course of this season! We have a lot of new freshman looking to make their debuts and we will highlight 10 of them on the show, we breakdown some of the big routines we are expecting to see on each event, whats up for Week 1 of our 3rd year of the Region 5 University, news on some of the preview meets we have seen so far including a flashback to the 1980's (or 70's) piano played floor music, 2 big name alums have made returns to the sport for a 5th year, and we have a new fun addition to our College Salute coverage to fill you in on.

Our Alumni guest on this show has triple flighted her way to being one of the best gymnasts in the MAC conference, has left her mark in the EMU history books and is one of the best in the nation on the balance beam. Ella talks about why she chose Eastern, her thoughts on all the success she had as a freshman and how that has motivated her these last two years. Kim has followed her career from the beginning and we reflect on her many fun stories.

In this episode we welcome Buckeye Senior Sidney Washington to the show. Sidney gives us some insights to her two years at Pittsburgh, what the whole transfer experience was like and what it was like becoming a Buckeye, especially for someone who grew up in Ann Arbor. She talks about a moment in her club career where she considered quiting but her club coach Claudia helped and motivated her to stick with it. Kim dives into a floor discussion and where she got her love for performing and puttiing on a show.

Our next Alumni Conversation of the season is with one who we have watched grow up in front of our eyes. From winning the all around at the Level 9 Easterns, to excelling at the elite level, to her beautiful bars and beam as a Cal Bear. Our guest is the fabulous Gabby Perea. As we do with each episode we take a journey back with Gabby to her Region 5 days and how her time as an elite helped her in the transition to college gymnastics. We of course dive into the beam dismount that broke the Gymternet, her standing full at nationals and much much more.

Our first Alumni Conversation of the season is with one of the most decorated Region 5 athletes ever, pretty much always and forever Region 5 Royalty. Kai Rivers won almost everything you could win in Level 10 and road the roller coaster college journey to a NCAA National Championships with the LSU Tigers. In this episode, we take Kai back to her Region 5 Days as well as talk everything LSU. Highs, lows, Achilles times 2, the Yurchenko Double, JAY vs DEE DEE we have it all in this episode.

NCAA's begins with Alum Un-balanced but then she found her balance for a national title, we might have seen a new skill that could be perfected for some originality, NEW CHampion is added to the short list, Finally it happened and all is right in the world, one more standing full for old time sake, the pilgrims founded the Plymouth Colony in the1620's but in the 2020's we have our own Pilgram and her journey is only getting started

Jordyn was our first coverage on the Insider back in 2012 when we covered her Olympic Send Off Celebration. So for our 100th episode of the College Salute podcast we wanted Jordyn to be our guest especially since she made her first trip with a full team to the NCAA Championships as the head coach of Arkansas, We talk about what being part of Region 5 meant to her, how she came to be the head coach of the University of Arkansas, the experience hosting Regionals and then qualifying to NCAA''s as a team, how coaching as impacted her and the impact our 5 Region 5 alums she has coached had/or is having on the program.

We talk about what being part of Region 5 meant to her, how she came to be the head coach of the University of Arkansas, the experience hosting Regionals and then qualifying to NCAA''s as a team, how coaching as impacted her and the impact our 5 Region 5 alums she has coached had/or is having on the program.

It began with 4 very close play ins and ended with lots of drama and excitement it's REGIONAL weekend, up close and live for the best on bars never to win, SEARS is SOMETHIN, OU is OUTSTANDING U, Frazier was a show I never got into but I am all about the gymnastics of a Frazier, DId our R5 U line-up make it nationals this year, who is moving onto to Fort Worth, Oh and I am wondering if OKeefe's favorite animal is a Cat because she lands like one

Welcome to our special regional preview here on the College Salute Podcast, we break down the alums you will see, the routines to watch and who we feel will advance from each of the four regions. We also give our pick for the final four and the national champion. Both Kim and I will be in Ann Arbor to bring you behind the scenes content from the Ann Arbor regional.

OUR 100th Episode!!!

Conference Championships and here is to 100 salutes, another 10 but first for this athlete though it was one of many at the meet, Kim fought for her photo box space this week, Conference Tournment Champ again after 10 years and one for the first time in program history, Bleeding toe can't stop a spartan, lots of alums crowned conference champion and Geography is not Jason strong suit.

Last week of the regular season and we now learn why beam is so challenging, Is a front Full front Full a requirement to be recruited at Penn, It's late in the season so if you are tired during your Pac just take a seat, SEC is happy its not 2025, Smith might be a common last name but this one is not Mediocre OH 3 weren't mediocre this week they were perfect well maybe not all of them, and you can get a perfect 9.95 on vault can we have a perfect 9.975 on other events

It was a SENIOR FEST this week with Roses flyin and maybe a Herky jump or two, 2 vaults that I am glad i got to see in person, never take your eyes off Szymanski because you just never know, double front dismount that made me almost fall out of my seat, How do you describe a Scholarship to your teammates, and we have some debates on todays pod

Week 9 was a 10 multiple times in Lexington, IT was the all ohio meet but someone apparently forgot to tell Illinois, we apparently have exhibition runners in this sport, well OU is um yeah who will be second this year, and Anya's 10 reaction was epic.

Week 8- Green is great and is the BIG Ten Regular Season Champ color, but how did they win we will explain, We might have to have a run off for President ( I am here for either of them), the Region 5 Yurchenko 1 ½ craze continues with one returning this weekend (Yes Olivia she has competed this year) but will that be the last time we see it, we had so many working parts this week and one team is even on the brink of being Dangerous, oh and I think Kim was at CMU doing behind the scenes research from the broadcast

An Alum is perfect again on floor this week, We tied in Kalamazoo… and then we didn't, another Yurchenko 1 ½ debuted, Q is back with a head set, Al Ashari had more space in which to perform this week, we had more Memory's of a goldfish in Champaigne, an angry front tuck on is the only way to do it in Teter Town especially when you are robbed, Holly Harris, need to just grow an inch in your figures on bars and did you know the rules are in the CODE OF CONDUCT!

NCAA Week 6 and all about the bars composition this week well in all of 2024 to be honest, I thought it was regionals weekend with the Denver Stream (R5 Insider Goals), Yurchenko 1 ½ debut this week and she leads our line up, we saw the floor routine we have been waiting for and you will be JIVING about it today, Alyssa Squared killed it for our line up this week, and lets play tik tac toe KENT STYLE!

It was 2 10 weekend for alums in week 5 and they were in the same meet, but I have some thoughts on one of them, Hopefully we don't have a memory of a goldfish during this podcast, The CAL BEAR HEAD, SunGlasses of all sizes, Some happy faces on beam in Muncie oh and Spartans were happy too!

Week 4 another 10, this one on floor, but her teammate might just think she deserved one as well and she right, Arkansas brings awareness in a cool way, Gianna Gerdes enough said, I have my new favorite non region 5 athlete the week, Not 1 or 2 but 5 pass movements at MSU thats Funk and Spunk if you ask me oh we have more much more, This week was certainly crafted and catered.

Well the state of Tennessee does start with TEN, The amount of gymnastics my eyes watched this past weekend, did we see a new skill at EMU, Silverware at gymnastics meet and we aren't talking from the concession stand, The NCAA Famous Double Front and I finally saw it live, debut we have been waiting for even it's not the event we a looking forward to seeing, and our line-up killed it in week 3.

Another Alum was perfect, the Tri meet rotation change for 2024 seems to not be a thing at least in week 2, We got a look at the first of what is to be 4 Destiny Child inspired floor routines, um she isn't an alum but she deserved a 10, surprise dismount change but she STUCK IT, R5 U Line-up was well listen and find out oh and more feelings from Kim

A Perfect 10 for an alum, Region 5 University has a masters level class, roll out the scroll of alums who debuted in week 1, I feel my voice has been heard even it has nothing to do with me, and the R5 University is off to hot start, oh and the new rule got one of our alums this week at least I think it did, all that, KIm has feelings and we have our new segment Five Jive. Listen in as we recap NCAA Week 1.

The start of another college gymnastics season is about to start and of course we have a whole group of new faces we get to see this season. We highlight the must watch routines for 2024, introduce you to many but not all the newbie alums we will see and give you an update on some of the new rule changes. The R5 University will return for its 2nd season with the first line-ups coming at you in less then a week. Listen in as we preview the upcoming 2024 NCAA Gymnastics Season.

This alumni conversation guest has become famous for what appears to be effortless gymnastics including her layout kickover front on beam and regularly close to if not perfect vaults. Michigan State Junior Captain Gabi Stephen joins us to talk about the fan stardom she has achieved in her two years at MSU, her change in her gymnastics in college and what we can expect to see in 2024, her 2023 NCAA experience and as always how Region 5 impacted her. Gabi has a funny sense of humor and that comes out in this podcast for sure.

Ball State 5th Year senior and MAC Conference stand out Megan Teeter joined us for our conversation. Megan talks about her decision to take her 5th year though played a bit of a prank on her team and us fans. We talk about her upgraded bars dismount she debuted last season and what we can expect to see in her 5th year season. Region 5 pride flows from her soul and she talks about how competing in the MAC ( I mean the Region 5 Conference) is like she is back in her Region 5 days. Of course you dont want to miss her answers to the our Fab 5 questions at the end of the pod.

Our first Alumni guest of the season is the most decorated Region 5 athlete ever and was inducted this past July into the Region 5 Hall of Fame. Her middle name Six seems to fit her well not only with her NIL opportunities but in her career winning the 2019 Nastia Cup in her 6th apparence at the event. Makarri is tied for only one of two athletes to win all four events and the all around at the Level 10 National Championships. She has 2 perfect 10's and is looking for more in her 5th year. We talk Pandas, perfect 10's and the "Six" and where would she travel back in time to all that more on this episode.

Dynasty could be happening but Kim are you sure it's UTAH, Sierra Brooks is the Champion, We had a perfect 10 in region 5, well we had 10 alums at nationals, Region 5 National Champion at the USAG Nationals, It's a Ring for Torrez, Sad face feelings continues for Davis and the ESPN event streams are the best for behind the scenes crazy! We also announce our R5 College Salute Best of 2023 on each event list.

So Many Routines, Three Region 5 Alums moving on as Individuals, 6 competing athletes on teams, some drama filled finishes to regionals but should one have been, Some athletes might just have a GPS for landings in their Nervous system, There was at least one 10 at every regional one went to a region 5 alum, Kim takes us behind the scenes at Pitt and please more Payton Richards

4 Regional sites, 4 competitions at each, a crazy 5 days of competition from Wednesday to Sunday. What are the R5 Universities Chances of qualifying to nationals, what R5 Alums have qualified as individuals, what should Region 5 fans be watching. Who do Kim and I feel will be moving onto Regional Finals and NCAA's? Well after this special podcast episode you are going to know the answers to all those questions.

Conference Championships weekend did not disappoint, from the excitement, to the faces, the stuck landings or stick and show to the high fives it was non stop crazy all across the country. For some this was the last stop on their gymnastics journey and the lasting memories of their lives in gymnastics but for many it's one last tune up for NCAA Regionals. They hope they have NORMENTUM going into post season.

Final week of the regular season with Conference Champs only a few days away well unless your special and compete for a school in the WIAC, who needs a shoulder…. Bustello sure doesn't, Is the commentator curse real well Kim didn't want to test that out at EMU for AG but sure did for EC, Kent is hosting MAC's next week but it might be another BALL STATE WMU SHOW TWO weeks in a row, Tetter Town is where it's at Hey Ball State I have a plan, the Sarah SHOW and we apparently need to NIP and TUCK!!!!!

KRAZY In Michigan- 3 exciting meets all in the Mitten state and Kim was there for them all, she might even have some blue blazer stalkers, there was a 4th meet on Monday and we are going to quickly discuss it, Records set and then broken, 3 perfect scores this week, LIU vacationed in Michigan this weekend and poparazzi Kim was all about it We have the NFL, the NBA the MLB but our favorite Gymnastics Aunt might have another 3 Letter combo that killed it in week 9… plus, and we take Kim back to math class

Cross town rivals share BIG Ten, High 5 Helps make it epic again, Munoz is making her mark in more ways then one, Flip for Ella and of course Mikayla Stuckey Mikayla Stuckey Mikayla Stuckey. Oh and maybe some talk about some the Betts blinged out R5 shoes. That and our Week 8 R5 University line-up coming at you

Region 5 has 5 to Nastia, It's Back Back again, Q's Vault tell a friend, we have a breakdown of BIG and JPAC, I have another new favorite bars team, we got some FAB, MAKIE oh she brought it, week 7 R5U and first NQS and we have the REAL NQS.

Week 6 and oh it was somethin Something Even College rules don't have an answer for, MAC conference holding their own in the R5U line-up this week, Linda Zivat let's the judges know what an actual stuck landing is literally, Volpe is spectacular and fabulous more on that, Murphy surely AL SCHARNS it, and Kim has a scroll of Fab for you this week

Bowling strikes and knocking teammates down after routines is the new standard, another alum 10, EMU is my favorite bar squad in the NCAA and Did R5U thrive in week 5? We recap Buckeye Classic, break down our week 5 line-up and find out who fired up the chips and who celebrates like a happy dolphin.

Perfect 10, perfect double back technique, 2 perfect 9.975, and not so perfect stream, I just can't wrestle with that one. BAMA debut, the R5 University on fire again this week and we are fired up about a beauty and beast and camera angles.

It's week 3 and I have my NCAA Bars Champion crowned, aerial to Y scales and double back to a cliff hanger toe dances were a thing, Super SUKI well Big Thing do Come in Small Packages. We had almost complete Region 5 line-ups and it's not even Kent State or R5U, some exciting battles in the Big Ten, Farden was funky and our week 3 R5U lineup killed it. Listen in as Kim leads with an ode to the MSU Spartans.

Lots of questions with scores in week 2, a vault 4 years in waiting, and a new double front ½ out dismount upgrade as a senior. We have our 2nd week lineup scores for Region 5 U and let's just say we have thoughts, Kim has an MVP named Andi Li. Are the vault lines actually helping the judges? We roll back to 1992 for a tribute routine in Fab 5 and have you met Linda "Produnova" Zivat?

We open the season with the break down of the first R5 University line-up and how they fared against the rest of the country on week 1. Region 5 had lots of freshman debuts this week and we highlight many of them for you. Our Fab 5 features Fisk, Cal Bear Head and a Barbie Girl! Oh and who is on Olivia Karas mind in this weeks Karas Kickover. Listen in as we big arch back salute our alums in week 1.

Season 5 for the Region 5 College Salute is only a few weeks away and we are breaking down the newcomers to watch, the routines that we expect to be a must see, and maybe some that may not be so expected. Kim was on hand for the Michigan quad exhibition and she has her thoughts on floor, floor and more floor...... not too much of a surprise there. We set the scene for the 2023 season for our Region 5 Alums and what's this Region 5 U well listen and find out!

She is known by only one letter "Q" but do you really know much about Iowa Senior JerQuavia Henderson. We take her back to her years in Region 5, find out how her achilles injury during her Freshman year impacted her more then she ever imagined as well how food in important to her life but not as you would think. After listening to this podcast, you will see Q for more then just the powerhouse gymnast she is.

In this episode of Alumni Conversation we have 2022 MAC Beam and Floor Champion Payton Murphy from Western Michigan on the show. Payton is headed into her senior year for the broncos but we get to take her back to her club days and find more about the injury that shaped her into the tough athlete she is today. We discuss her major neck injury from her freshman year and how that has impacted her and made her the leader she has become. We discuss her long journey on bars with dismounts and releases and of course talk about her 2022 MAC Championships.

In this alumni convo pod we sat down with the 2022 MAC All Around Champion and Gymnast of the Year, CMU Senior Hannah DeMers to talk all things EXCITEMENT. Those of you who know Hannah know she is all high energy all the time. She talks about not being at her best at MAC's and still winning, how COVID didn't derail her 2021 NCAA Championships experience and where all the energy after each routine comes from. Hannah is known as an all arounder but stands out on floor, where does her ability to steal the show come from and Maggie Nicols mom well listen in to find out.

Ohio State 5th Year Super Senior Claire Gagliardi joined us for our Alumni Conversation to talk all things floor. We talk Region 5 days including her tumbling on cue (just need to listen), and her story on making Level 10 Nationals for the first time. Claire competed a new vault at the beginning of last season but has a new one in store for 2023 and of course her "Air Claire" might make a comeback. Kim and her discuss all the things when you it comes to her many great floor routines and the claire back spin of course. Listen in as we talk all about her gymnastics with some Hot Wings and Waffles mixed in.

Region 5 Alum and soon to be Michigan State Sophomore Skyla Schulte joined us to talk about her freshman season from doing bars with long nails, drag queen inspired floor excellence to having deja vu on beam at the NCAA Championships one year after nailing beam at JO Nationals. Skyla talks about how her first college floor routine came together, how a change on bars impacted her confidence and Pickles well just have to listen in for that.

Sooners stole the show,13 alums competed and 1 killed it in vault in warm-ups, the cables at bars were faulty and so were the judges, landings on vault were hard to come by but not for Rucker. Bars and Beam All Americans for Region 5 Alums. Do you focus recruiting on elites or level 10s and Lights Out needs to be OUT for ever.

After a weekend of 4 square or 8 square or even 12 square, we have our 2022 NCAA qualifiers. It was a weekend of big performances, 10's for what every Trinity touched, a very well known foot (thanks to twitter and ESPN screen shots- crazy exciting ending in Raleigh, Tale of two Bryants, Schulte soars in Seattle and lots of alum stand out moments.

Championships Crazy that was this past weekend in the NCAA and we have lots of highlights for you. Another 10 on vault for an alum, If you won session 1 you were the 3rd or 4th best team in the conference, Region 5 Alums took home many conference awards, Karas massively excited joins us on the podcast and Maryland is now my favorite team.

The final week of NCAA Regular season has come and gone and everyone is prepping for Championship weekend. Before we jump into the posted season we have a HUGE 10 on vault to talk about, a 10 on floor for an alum, The Ramler is a thing, Flashes floor, Kim's 2nd ESPN Status and dance thrus in competition.

It was a week filled with 9.9's, 198's+++++ and some debuts (yes even in the final weeks of the season), some senior nights and even a record or two. We did have the WIAC conference championship take place this past week with a few alums making a splash. Teams are gearing up for the post season and scores are through the roof- What is a good score in 2022? Olivia has some thoughts on that but for our Alums the 9.9's were abundant with the notebook filled

Two alums rise to career perfect 10's, Suni Nabs it on bars, and Judge Jail. We give an update on where our Region 5 Alums rank in the NQS rankings, we kickover the art of sticking, a senior night for one alum, first time 9.9 club members and we recap the Insider Classic, Nastia and Winter Cup that and more.

It's week 7 of the NCAA season but it was more like the BIG 5 and we will break down the highlights from BIG Ten''s part 1 at Elevate the Stage, Tough to watch all the Beauty when you have beasts there at NIU, I was there more on that, we had a 10 this week but not from an alum but a Level 10, The DOGS at MSU gotta EAT and CHIPS are WANT WORK AND WIN (well close this weekend). A cool throwback to 1988 and HELLO check this vault out from SUNI.

The college debut the Gymternet has been waiting a long time for, Gabby Perea in the competitive line-up. A new gymnastics program to make its first college salutes in 2023, the beauty and toe point of Illinois, stars in the making, triple full, double layouts , program highs and the GREEN and WHITE.... IT's a Chiefs Kiss!

Week 5 was filled with first career10's, 4 in one meet, Region 5 Alum with one of those and some instances where it's a mystery why it wasn't 10. Is their more subjectivity in college judging then we want to admit. The Alabama Tri meet became a salute to a MAC conference standout, how do Region 5 Alums rank in the national standings at the half way point, and we spotlight 3 Alums performances from D3 WhiteWater. That and who is Makarri Doggette's biggest fans? No subjectivity there!

The Insider gains ESPN status... At least one of us did! The floor performances from our alums in week 4 were through the roof even the Michigan Storm Trooper was impressed. The Auburn Gymnasties had their own take on floor routine choreography. Front handspring board entries on vault are making a comeback, lots of 9.9s and R5 Alum Olivia Karas drops by to give Kim her feedback.

There was an all Around record set by an alum while we learned another's key to success on bars is wake boarding We had a perfect 9.95, and a lawn dart 10 on vault in week 3. The 9.9 notebook was filled, some cool team routine interactions , Region 5 Media proves to be useful and Skyla Schulte is the QUEEN! That and more as we recap week 3 of NCAA action.

The NCAA National Championship Banner was raised in Chrysler Center, Jade Carey made her debut in fine fashion. There needs to be consistency in scoring amongst divisions in the NCAA and we discuss it. Are you a fan of the two pass routine? Olivia Karas gives her opinion, lots of 9.9's, a huge vault, sharp movements could stab you or melt you depends on the gymnast. That and more for NCAA Week 2 of the College Salute.

The new Anastasia and the first college salute from Zivat, it's an A thru Z start to the 2022 NCAA season. We have new mounts, a collection of side somi's, the new EMU, Waligora, Podges, Hu, Rivers new faces and of course Claire Gagliardi looking for an Oscar. We discuss live stream commentary and R5 Alum Olivia Karas her first take on the new season in her Karas Kickover. All that and more in our NCAA Week One recap.

College Gymnastics is back and we are excited to bring you another season of the spine breaking coverage of our awesome Region 5 Alums. We highlight some of the new faces we are looking forward to seeing as well as some athletes we have yet to see compete in college. The Region 5 conference looks stronger then ever for this 2022 season and Region 5 Alum Olivia Karas is back with Karas Kickover take 2.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with the 2022 NCAA All Around Champion and soul piercing performer Oklahoma Senior, now grad student Anastasia Webb. We have a great conversation about her memories in Region 5, her experiences at Oklahoma, the origin of her gymnastics style that is not short of adjectives, the NCAA Championships and more. Anastasia was one of the most underrated gymnasts during her career even though she was one of the best in the NCAA. This athlete was a champion in club, champion in college and on the road to be a champion in life. Listen in and find out more about Anastasia.

University Florida senior Leah Clapper joined us for this episode of Alumni Conversation. Leah who is alway smiling which she shows from start to finish during her beam routine gives us the history behind her continuous smile. As we do with all our alums, we take her back to her Region 5 days and discuss how Region 5 has impacted her gymnastics in college. Leah has several good stories about her recruiting journey, how she started Zest and Finnesse and the lead up to her first perfect 10. This season was her first opportunity to compete in the post season and we discuss that experience and what take aways she had that will help her during her senior year.

After a wild and crazy season which ended with a new member of the NCAA National Championship team club, we get a chance to look back on all the ups, downs and toe arounds that went on this season from the perspective of our Region 5 Alums. Our first Alumni Conversation is with a member of that National Championship team, Michigan Sophomore Gabby Wilson. We look back on Region 5 memories, crazy moments from this past NCAA season and of course all about Michigan's first national team championship (for the women). We also through in some of the wall non gymnastics questions to give you a better understanding of who Gabby is beyond the gymnast.

The 2021 NCAA Championships will always be remembered as the team champions club gained its newest member. The University of Michigan became only the 7th program to win the Women's NCAA Championships while posting a program high score. Oklahoma Senior and Region 5 Alum Anastasia Webb won the all around and two event titles putting on stamp on her career. Region 5 Alum Olivia Karas was front in center for all the action at NCAA's in Texas and she is back to break it down with us. Lots of behind the scenes discussion from this historical championships.

The NCAA Regional weekend was exciting from start to finish with nail bitter victories, upsets, outstanding celebrations and of course perfect 10's. We have lots to say about all the great post routine celebrations that occured over the whole weekend. We had two perfect 10's in the regional semi's in Tuscaloosa. SWEET 16 for our OSU Alums while two individuals continue to dance onto the NCAA Champs. We breakdown all four regionals from start to finish.

In part 2 of our Conference Championships we break down the other conferences and highlight the Alums that won conference titles along with some performances in each conference that stood out including EMU all arounder Haydn Crossen who is making a huge impact for the Eagles this season. The SEC is always the best dressed like Sunday Church in the South and Nia may have used a trampoline on vault. Lots of 9.9's and we hand out our Best 5 for the Conference Championship weekend.

TOO much went on during conference championship weekend that we had to split it in two! On this show we discuss our Fabulous 5 as well as a couple not so fabulous around the country. We talk BIG TEN Champs and are joined by Region 5 Alum, Michigan Wolverine Standout and the commentator of the meet Olivia Karas for an awesome discussion on the behind the scenes at Big Tens to the awesome underappreciated gymnastics some of our alums did during the champions. Oh Ya! Not to mention the excitement of the final results.