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Podcast: Tara, Tamales and Taylor- NCAA Opening Weekend

By
Jason MacDonald
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0

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Video Podcast:

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…

Podcast Highlights

  • Fab 5ish- All Kim in week 1 and of course it’s 9 and there is a Beam Ballerina
  • Freshman Debuts
  • They DID THAT… or DIDN’T- A discussion about what year in school is good to be a captain
  • R5 University Line-up scores for Week 1
  • D3 Athlete of the Week
  • Our R5 College Salute Awards of the Week

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OMG Moments of 2025 | Gymnastics Bloopers and More

By
Jason MacDonald
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0

Here it is our collection of OMG Moments… The Bloopers and Blunders in Region 5 Gymnastics for 2025 brought to you by THE BAR TO BAR RELEASE. The content for this video is a mix of footage filmed by the Region 5 Insider as well as videos submitted by athletes from around the region.

Ladies and Gentlemen It’s Region Number 5- 2026 NCAA Preview

By
Jason MacDonald
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0

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Video Podcast

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. 

Podcast Highlights

  • Fab 5 Freshman we are excited to see
  • R5 University Event Line-ups (Kim and I pick our top 6 on each)
  • New NQS rules explained
  • R5 University Line-up meets for NCAA Week 1
  • Highlights from the Intrasquad Meets across the country
  • Kim gives us some insights to Michigan’s Intrasquad

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Alumni Conversation- Kaia Tanskanen (Part 2) Finland, Risk and Reward

By
Jason MacDonald
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0

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Video Podcast

Part 2 – Finland: Competing in elite while in college, Europeans, the first for a Finnish Women on floor and 3 time is a charm at Worlds. 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, doing a new bar routine, making Worlds AA final and competing with her boyfriend Robert Kermes, a fellow Finnish National Team member, in the mixed pairs event at Euros. All this and a bit more in this fun part 2 with Kaia. 

Click Here for Part 1

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.

Podcast Highlights

  • How she decided to compete for Finland
  • First years of competing for Finland
  • Paris World Cup Bronze (Floor)
  • First Finnish women to compete a double double
  • World Championships 3rd time is a charm
  • Mixed Pairs with her Boyfriend Robert
  • 2 very interesting questions from people important to Kaia

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Podcast: Alumni Conversation- Kaia Tanskanen, Part 1 “The Gymlife Balance” Mizzou

By
Jason MacDonald
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0

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Video Podcast

We had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Missouri sophomore Kaia Tanskanen after a 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 charm at Worlds. 

Podcast Highlights

  • Reflecting on Region 5 and how being part of the Region prepared her for NCAA Gymnastics
  • Top 3 Memories of her time in Region 5
  • Thoughts on being coached by your Mom and Dad
  • Competing in Stegman Coliseum and around the SEC
  • 2025 NCAA Championships Experience – Link to her mom’s Instagram GRWE Post

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