College Salute Podcast from the R5 Insider

College Gymnastics podcast that follows the NCAA careers of our Region 5 alumni each and every week during the NCAA season with alumni interviews during the off season. We also have R5 University which is our own weekly take on Fantasy Gymnastics. If you love college gymnastics and Region 5 and follow the Region 5 Insider this podcast is for you.

Nationals Bound- NCAA Regionals Recap 04/09/2026

Nationals Bound- NCAA Regionals Recap Chio was Supercalperfectly docious 3x (if you watched you know) but 3 Alums were also perfect during Regional Weekend, some surprising excitement in Corvallis. Welcome back Gym Dogs, some NCAA history made, Kaia is like a line-up yo-yo, 3 Individual alums headed to Forth Worth and there was a worm on the beam that and more let’s Rap /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/40782595

A Stick and A Step- Conference Championships Weekend 03/26/2026

A Stick and A Step- Conference Championships Weekend 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! /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/40634005

10 to the End 03/19/2026

10 to the End 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 /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/40539335

The Church and Celly 03/12/2026

The Church and Celly 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. /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/40415860

The MAC PAC 03/04/2026

The MAC PAC 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 /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/40314160

The IVY League 02/26/2026

The IVY League 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 /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/40241030

Left, Right with a Twist 02/19/2026

Left, Right with a Twist 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. /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/40160895

Corey and Klein, It's Hype Time! 02/12/2026

Corey and Klein, It's Hype Time! 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. /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/40091240

Stop, Drop and Cook 02/05/2026

Stop, Drop and Cook 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. /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/40007830

Say My Name 01/28/2026

Say My Name 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. /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/39912860

The Float, Flair and Shine 01/21/2026

The Float, Flair and Shine 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 /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/39818905

The Revenge Tour 01/14/2026

The Revenge Tour 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. /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/39733300

Tara, Tamales and Taylor- NCAA Opening Weekend 01/09/2026

Tara, Tamales and Taylor- NCAA Opening Weekend 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... /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/39670345

Ladies and Gentlemen It's Region Number 5- 2026 NCAA Preview 01/01/2026

Ladies and Gentlemen It's Region Number 5- 2026 NCAA Preview 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. /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/39586535

Alumni Conversation- Kaia Tanskanen (Part 2) Finland, Risk and Reward 12/31/2025

Alumni Conversation- Kaia Tanskanen (Part 2) Finland, Risk and Reward 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. /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/39577050

Alumni Conversation- Kaia Tanskanen, Part 1 "The Gymlife Balance" Mizzou 12/18/2025

Alumni Conversation- Kaia Tanskanen, Part 1 "The Gymlife Balance" Mizzou 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. /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/39458255

Alumni Conversation- Ady Wahl, GymDawg All American Youtuber 10/22/2025

Alumni Conversation- Ady Wahl, GymDawg All American Youtuber 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. /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/38747010

Alumni Conversation: Ella Cesario, Bears Now Tigers OH MY! 08/27/2025

Alumni Conversation: Ella Cesario, Bears Now Tigers OH MY! 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. /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/37977625

Alumni Conversation- Helen Hu, Cinderella Season Tattooed For Life 07/02/2025

Alumni Conversation- Helen Hu, Cinderella Season Tattooed For Life 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. /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/37252175

Perfection Perfected Always The Plan- NCAA Championships 04/24/2025

Perfection Perfected Always The Plan- NCAA Championships 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! /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/36294435

Upsets and Tickets Punched, NCAA Regional Recap 04/10/2025

Upsets and Tickets Punched, NCAA Regional Recap 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! /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/36079420

NCAA Regionals Preview 04/02/2025

NCAA Regionals Preview 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! /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/35971895

It's A Celebration! 03/26/2025

It's A Celebration! 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 Brooklyn Freaking Moores Corey the Hype Man Moment for EMU Suki Pfister Moment for the Leos Region 5 University Line Up BIG Ten Championships MAC Championships Social Salute Jordan’s Mom and Dad during her floor Cecile doing tik toks- changing the mindset The Gymnast game- Jenna, Gabi, Lilly, Thank god AJ landed better then her gymnast did NCAA Hosts first selection show! Olivia Karas intense Eyes watching the MATRIX TIME! Liv’s pre-meet Q&A Velcro or Buckle Stanford Tree Worship Behind the Scenes BIG Tens with KIM MAC Champs with Aleena D3 Athlete of the Week- Paige Magel, White Water (D3 National Beam Champion) They DID That... OR DIDN't More Commentary Quotes from this week It's Avery Compton and Ashley S for me this week The 10's of Championship Weekend UC Davis and Rutgers Moving moving on College Salute Week 12 Awards /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/35879610

Dark Horse Rising 03/20/2025

Dark Horse Rising 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! /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/35792010

Seniors, Cherry Blossoms, and the Boo Birds 03/14/2025

Seniors, Cherry Blossoms, and the Boo Birds 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 /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/35698475

Big Hearts and Moving Parts 03/06/2025

Big Hearts and Moving Parts 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! /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/35565450

Surfs, Saves and Sweets 02/27/2025

Surfs, Saves and Sweets 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: Show Notes: Social Salute (03:23) Utah TT Another Theatrical performance FAB 5 (06:23) Kim notices Towson bars Ashley's defying gravity dismount Thaxton's 1 1/2 10.0 for Torrez Michigan State Bars, Leo, and Mikes Shirt DEBUTS (12:11) Railey Jackson Vault D3 Athlete of the Week (13:14) Kennedy O'Connor 9.825 Vault They DID THAT! (15:44) JoJo does it again Old School and Higgins roll Fantastic Firey Freshman and the Kool Aid House Riley goes surfing The Double Fronts that are Fire! The Faces, Guitar and Cotton Candy Hey Coach, put me in- The Exhibitions that rocked R5 University Line-up for Week 8 (45:17) Presented by Full Out Recruiting Line-up meets: Ball State/Towson Central/Kent UCLA/Michigan /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/35453410

Let Me See You Walk, Walk, Walker 02/19/2025

Let Me See You Walk, Walk, Walker 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: Show Notes: Social Salute (03:44) BYU Husbands Mic'd MSU Hotel Lobby Masterpiece FAB 5 (08:38) Kennedy 10.00 (why are we cutting away????) The Ribbon Story at OSU From DAVE The OG hypeman at Zou in the Lou! Peanut Butter Jelly Time DEBUTS (13:06) Olivia Coppola- FX Karleigh Reutzel-Vault D3 Athlete of the Week (18:44) Aleah First Pass from Last Week Kelsey Kollhoff Floor 9.8 Zoe Krull- 9.775 on bars They DID THAT! (22:39) SEC + or is it - The smoke at Georgia Wahl vs Wally Lot's of commentary quotes Bars dismount things Moon Walks, Dramatic Walking, and Grace Walker R5 University Line-up for Week 5 (1:02:27) Presented by Full Out Recruiting Line-up meets: Zou in Lou Arkansas vs Georgia Minnesota vs Ohio State /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/35354905

Flip Flip FLOP 02/12/2025

Flip Flip FLOP 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: Show Notes: Behind the Scenes (03:54) NIU vs Kent State (Jason was a spectator) WMU vs Eastern Michigan (Kim Commentated) FAB 5 (28:46) History Making Price Social Media Salute The Faces of Mati Waligora\ SUKI is BACK!!!! DEBUTS (36:29) Alisia Murray CMU Floor D3 Athlete of the Week (37:58) Aleah Radojevich, Osh Kosh Floor 9.75 They DID THAT! (40:28) Camera Angles at WMU Many names of Sydney Thoughts from the Towson Quad Arkansas takes down Florida Where to Begin with Utah State vs San Jose Towson Bars, ISU Beam Routine, Arkansas Hype Man Cory and the new Podcast with Karas R5 University Line-up for Week 6 (1:10:04) Presented by Full Out Recruiting Line-up meets: Kent State vs NIU Eastern vs Western San Jose State vs Utah State /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/35261825

The Debut that was Stick Stick Boom 02/05/2025

The Debut that was Stick Stick Boom 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: Show Notes: FAB 5 MSU, LSU STICK STICK BOOM Nikki Smith #1 on Vault It’s Your time Ella Ceasario DEBUTS The Debut of the Year- Cal Beam Routine for 9.95 NIU’s Katie Ferguson’s first Bars routine First vault exhibition if Ellie Monahan D3 Athlete of the Week Beam routine of Meghan Dehlin from Eau Claire They DID THAT! Commentary and Camera issues at Michigan and Penn State A new way to start bars that might be the key Kara Eaker official competes for Georgia Do not miss floor choreography and Grammy Video Some jaw dropping front double full front tucks R5 University Line-up for Week 5 Line-up meets: OSU vs Michigan Illinois vs Penn State Cal vs NC State /episode/index/show/r5gyminsiderpodcast/id/35167930

College Salute Podcast from the R5 Insider

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