Podcasts · GymCastic: The Gymnastics Podcast

Behind the Scenes: U.S. Classic 2026 Meet Report, Reese Esponda Wins, Ohashi Returns & Skye Blakely Shines

· 24 min · S26 E61 · Bonus · Explicit

Episode Behind the Scenes: U.S. Classic 2026 Meet Report, Reese Esponda Wins, Ohashi Returns & Skye Blakely Shines

0:00 24:24

Our immediate reactions right after the meet! Everything from the 2026 U.S. Classic, including Reese Esponda's all-around victory, Katelyn Ohashi's return to elite competition, Skye Blakely's event titles, Jade Carey's upgrades, Nationals qualification, the biggest breakout performances, and historic gay TV moment.

We also discuss NBC's broadcast, routine construction, Nationals qualifying procedures, and answer Club Gym Nerd questions.

This is our live Q&A show, where we answer your questions. Here's how to ask questions live. Can't make it live? Add Club bonus episodes to your favorite podcast player (instructions here). For the extended episode log in, refresh this page and the extended player for Club Members will appear below. Not a member? Join here.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Historic Moment in Gay Gymnastics History

01:31 – Jade Carey Takes the Long View

03:11 – Reese Esponda's Bars, Beam and Winning Floor

05:41 – Katelyn Ohashi's Successful Elite Return

06:23 – Ohashi's Beam Inquiry and Qualification Score

08:45 – The Meet's Real Winner: Smart Routine Construction

10:09 – Why Ohashi's Comeback Is Already a Huge Success

13:07 – Could Ohashi Be Invited to Nationals?

15:53 – Skye Blakely Wins Bars and Beam

16:42 – Ally Damelio's Seitz

17:20 – Were the U.S. Classic Scores Too Generous?

19:12 – Leanne Wong's Smarter Beam Composition

22:53 – BONUS FOR CLUB MEMBERS BEGINS

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23:53 – Why Katelyn Ohashi and Laurie Hernandez + Jade Made Jessica Cry

26:48 – Breakout Stars: Zoey Molomo and Isabella Anzola

31:50 – Building a World Team From the U.S. Classic

33:31 – How to Watch Peacock and the International Feed Together

34:29 – Jade Carey's Full-Twisting Double Layout Technique

36:50 – Do World Team Members Have to Be Top-Five All-Arounders?

37:10 – Should Jade Carey Increase Her Bars Difficulty?

42:02 – Charleigh Bullock's Compelling Bars Score

42:28 – Izzy Stassi's Elite Potential at Oklahoma

44:30 – Is the U.S. Currently a World-Gold Team?

45:32 – Tom Forster and the Selection Committee

49:10 – Why USAG Needs a Single-Event Qualifying Score

51:02 – Suni Lee and the Case for Specialist Qualification

52:25 – Should Katelyn Ohashi Petition to Nationals?

1:00:35 – Gymnasts Still Planning Elite Comebacks

1:03:12 – Shilese Jones' Comeback Status

1:03:30 – The Broadcast's Skye Blakely Resilience Narrative

1:08:48 – The Absurdity of Mandatory "Dry Seasons"

1:09:49 – What Does "No Partying" Actually Mean?

1:10:14 – Jessica Disappears to Dance in the Street

1:10:57 – Is LSU's Injury Management a Problem?

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