Rhys "The Prodigy" McClenaghan Interview

What happens when there is a fire smoking out an arena? Apparently the meet goes on. Irish World and Olympic Champion Rhys is here with all the stories and NQS has begun.

Extended interview for Club Gym Nerd members here.  Not a member? Support independent journalism join here.

HEADLINES

• The Georgia vs. Arkansas meet was literally on fire
• NQS kicked in this week. New NQS ranking shakeups have UCLA in second, Florida to fifth and Missouri into eighth.
• No. 2 LSU defeated no. 1 Oklahoma in Baton Rouge. How did the Tigers drop a spot in the rankings?

NCAA

• Our total amount of 10s for the 2025 NCAA season doubled in week 7
  • Grace McCallum (UB), Kennedy Griffin (FX), Leanne Wong (BB), Sloane Blakely (FX), Lilly Hudson (FX)
• What are the NQS Ranking Shakeups?

GYMTERNET NEWS

• USAG's FlipNow streaming schedule has been released for the 2025 season
• Frida Esparza played the national anthem on electric guitar at UCLA's Pride meet
• Irina Viner, former head coach of Russia's national rhythmic gymnastics team, stepped down from her position, marking the end of a long standing fued between her and rumored Putin mistress, Alina Kabaeva
  • Here is the documentary, Over the Limit, of Viner's abusive coaching

INTERVIEW: RHYS McCLENAGHAN 

• The Irish double World Pommel Horse Champion and reigning Olympic Champion talks about judging, speaking up, taking advice from other gymnasts, what he really thinks about the lack of artistry in MAG, the broken PH at 2018 Worlds, most difficult meet experiences and of course an anti-sex bed update.

Q&A

• What are the skill differences between DI and DIII programs?
• Why are people upset about groin injuries being mentioned

UP NEXT

• College & Cocktails: The Live NCAA Gymnastics Post-Meet Show
  • after Florida at Oklahoma on Friday, Feb 21st at 7:30 Pacific
  •  Not sure if you are ready to join? Watch College & Cocktails sample free here.
  • Can’t make it live? Add College & Cocktails to your favorite podcast player (instructions here).
  • Never miss a live episode! Import the entire College & Cocktails schedule into your Google and iCal calendar here
• Spencer is doing a watch-along live blog at 4:30pm Pacific before College & Cocktails.

RELATED EPISODES

• McKayla Maroney interview
• Three World Champion coaches get candid
• NCAA Gymnastics with Vanessa Atler
• Steve Butcher on what happened in Tokyo when Simone pulled out of finals
• Things you only know if you are a gymnast, with Bram
• Cecile Landi and Elvire Teza 
• Judging The Judges: How Judges Are Chosen For the Olympic Games

RESOURCES

• Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation 
• Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim

RESISTANCE 
Submitted by our listeners.

• ACTION
  • Indivisible
    • Practical ideas about what you can actually do in this moment, check it out: indivisi.org/muskorus
  • 5Calls App will call your Congresspeople by issue with a script to guide you
    • • Make 2 to your Congressional rep (local and DC office). 2 each to your US Senators (local and state offices)
        • State your name and zip code or district
        • Be concise with your question or demand (i.e. What specific steps is Senator X taking to stop XYZ)
        • Wait for answer
        • Ask for action items -  tell them what you want them to do (i.e. draft articles of impeachment immediately, I want to see you holding a press conference in front of...etc.)
  • ResistBot
    • Turns your texts into faxes, postal mail, or emails to your representatives in minutes
  • ACLU Mobile Justice App
    • Allows you to record encounters with public officials while streaming to your closest contacts and your local ACLU; REPORT any abuse by authorities to the ACLU and its networks.
• LAWSUITS
  • Donate to organizations suing the administration for illegal actions
    • ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center, Northwest Immigration Law Project
• STAY INFORMED
  • Suggested podcasts:  Amicus, Daily Beans, Pod Save America,  Professor Heather Cox Richardson, Strict Scrutiny
• Immigrant Rights
  • Know Your Rights Red Cards, We Have Rights Video, Your Rights on trains and buses video