Podcasting comfortably in 2026 in Comfrt get 15% – Click on logo or use Jason272
Video Podcast:
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.
Podcast Highlights
Fab 5ish- Jordan is the girl, Kim at D2 NCAA’s, Breaking Records with Chick fil a
R5 University Line-up scores for Week 10
D3 Athlete of the Week– D3 9.925 from Oshkosh
They DID THAT… or DIDN’T- The Churches, The Celly’s, Kim on Floor things, Best Releve in the NCAA, The Fan with Most props ever, UNC Beam
Competition Video Gallery (videos from USA Gymnastics)
The 16th version of the Nastia Liukin Cup took place this past weekend just outside Vegas in Henderson, NV at the Lee’s Family Forum arena in conjunction with the American Cup mixed team competition. Region 5 qualified an impressive seven athletes to the Nastia Cup this year, with all but one making their first appearance at the prestigious event. Cincinnati Gymnastics and Queen City Gymnastics, both not new to the Nastia Cup, each qualified two athletes to this year.
Two of our Region 5 athletes finished in the top 5 of their respective age groups, Nastia has two age groups Junior (16- younger) and Senior (17-older). Quinn Harris from Cincinnati Gymnastics lead the way with her 4th place finish in the Junior age group with a 38.1. She was on a high literally from the first event with a huge Ray bail release combo on bars for a 9.625 which was 2nd amongst the juniors and top 10 for both age groups. She followed that up with a very solid beam routine and stuck 1 1/2 dismount on beam for another 2nd place 9.625. This has been a goal for Quinn for several years now and she made the most of her first Nastia Cup experience.
Quinn Harris from Cincinnati Gymnastics catches an eye on the camera during floor at the 2026 Nastia Cup. Photo courtesy of USA Gymnastics
Queen City City’s Payton McClain finished 5th in the senior age group and 8th overall with a 38.425. Payton had a very consistent competition and almost stuck her always impressive tuck Kaz 1/2 for a 9.65. However it is her improvement on bars over the course of the last year that needs to be highlighted with her new Van Leeuwen (Maloney 1/2) and a 9.6 on the event.
Payton McClain, Queen City putting on the crown at the 2026 Nastia Cup. Photo courtesy of USA Gymnastics
There were 5 9.9+ scores (4 on vault, 1 on floor) given out in this year’s competition and Region 5 had two of them. Avery Schlingting from Energym won vault for the senior age group with her very nice stuck cold Yurchenko 1 1/2 and a 9.925. Cameron Tassone from IK Gymnastics, in her 2nd consecutive Nastia Cup, tied for 2nd on vault for seniors with a 9.9 on her Yurchenko 1 1/2 that stuck but had to do a bit of the back stroke to keep the feet planted. Avery and Cameron both struggled a bit on bars or they both would have been in the all around discussion.
Morgan Braun from Queen City finished less then a tenth out of the top 10 for senior all around. Bars was her highest placing event 9.675 for 7th which features her nice Ricna (Stalder Tkatchev) but it was her 9.75 stuck Yurchenko 1/1 that was the highlight of her competition.
Raegan McCarty from Flip Star had a fall on her last tumbling pass in the first rotation unfortunately but did do a nice front pike 1/2 on vault but like Payton her bars have really improved as well making her one to watch as championship season approaches.
Giselle Guenther from Cincinnati had her struggles on bars and beam but hit a nice Yurchenko 1 1/2 vault for a 9.8. However, it did not go unnoticed that she opened floor with a new double layout which hopefully she keeps in as we head into championship season.
Podcasting comfortably in 2026 in Comfrt get 15% – Click on logo or use Jason272
Video Podcast:
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
Podcast Highlights
Fab 5ish- Jason is Famous, New Vault for the very first time, Honda Award Nominees
R5 University Line-up scores for Week 9
D3 Athlete of the Week– Brockport
Exhibition Debut
They DID THAT… or DIDN’T- Vaulting at Stanford Oregon State, the lowdown form EMU and NIU, and highlights from the Big 4’s
The 7th annual R5 Insider Classic took place this past weekend at a new (temporary) venue, Adventure Commons in Bourbonnais Illinois. The Level 10 session featured a nice mix of first year level 10’s and former level 10 national qualifiers. 2026 Nastia Cup Qualifier Raegan McCarty from Flip Star only competed two events but won both bars 9.35 and beam 9.55. She will compete in the Nastia Cup in Vegas this weekend.
The highlights for both sessions (full results linked above) and some routines you need to Press Play for are included below. Click arrow for more highlights
It was a STARS one, two finish in the junior age group. Claire Bazan from Flip Star, 2025 Level 9 Eastern Vault Champion took the all around gold with a 36.275 and finished 1st on the balance beam 9.45. Jocelyn Pydyn from EuroStars took 2nd by half a tenth 36.225 and tied for first on vault (with Anna Reed from Gym ETC) 9.4. Mack Stamper from Victory finished 3rd with a 35.9 and showcased a cool release on bars (uprise to khorkina) and unique flight series on beam to take 2nd on the event with a 9.225. The senior age group was won by Campbell Rajski from Signature Gymnastics with a 35.35. Campbell is on a steady climb up after being out all of 2025 due to injury. Taylor Chau from Gym Etc finished 2nd with a 34.875 but won floor with a very nice 2 1/2 front tuck 9.475. Lily Byers of Gym World Twinsburg finished a close 3rd 34.8 and won vault 9.3.
Raegan McCarty, Flip Star posted the top score of the session with her 9.55 beam routine. Her aerial layout step out is a highlight in this routine.
Taylor Chau, Gym Etc opens her floor routine with a 2 1/2 front tuck that is second to none. 9.475
Claire Bazan, Flip Star is more recognized for her vaulting talents but this beam routine (though she repeats it) has a cool cartwheel to aerial 2 feet series that is cool and different. 9.45
Campbell Rajski, Signature is a very good beam worker with a nice flow to her routine. Her cat leap aerial is always a highlight in this routine. 9.4
Anna Reed, Gym Etc does a very nice Hsp Front 9.4
Jocelyn Pydyn, EuroStars with a nice tucked full twisting Yurchenko 9.4
