Men Winter Cup/Elite Team Cup 2026

[skschlag]

It's time for Winter Cup and Elite Team Cup! I love this time of year. Cannot wait to see all these amazing athletes!

Info: https://wintercup.com/

 

[Coach Kate]

Neutral Deductions (podcast) did a nice interview with Riley Loos. Definitely got me excited to see his progress. It was also interesting to hear the inside scoop on how he was able to get support as a national team member who wasn't training or competing at the time.

I'm also really excited to see how Yul and Shane are coming along.

And I'll just overtly plug the Neutral Deductions podcast again for anyone who wants to keep up with men's gymnastics. Kensley reads and dissects all the documents from USAG, keeps up with code of points, has contacts with a lot of coaches, staff, and athletes, checks in on NCAA meets and scores, and of course follows all the US men. The coverage is really strong and gives a lot of helpful factual information and it's encouraged me to be more interested in the men's program.

 

[Coach Kate]

Leykin on high bar is a great routine! It's been so nice to see Yul hitting and looking strong too.

I'm also surprised at Fred Richard being here - hasn't he been in Milan doing social media for the Olympics?

 

[skschlag]

He was in Italy but came back for Winter Cup. I am sure that he needed to be there to retain his SNT spot since he was not on the Worlds Team.

 

[Coach Kate]

He was in Italy but came back for Winter Cup. I am sure that he needed to be there to retain his SNT spot since he was not on the Worlds Team.

He had a great meet, I was just surprised!

I hate his uniform though. My husband says he really doesn't get it because there are tons of other men's sports where tight clothing makes sense - wrestling, track, swimming, and his unlikely addition, football. "Do you even know how tight football pants are?! Now that's probably unnecessary"

I'm assuming he declined international assignments, though. Seems odd with his stated goal of returning to worlds this year.

 

[skschlag]

He had a great meet, I was just surprised!

I hate his uniform though. My husband says he really doesn't get it because there are tons of other men's sports where tight clothing makes sense - wrestling, track, swimming, and his unlikely addition, football. "Do you even know how tight football pants are?! Now that's probably unnecessary"

I'm assuming he declined international assignments, though. Seems odd with his stated goal of returning to worlds this year.

I hate the uniform too. It looks sloppy, and I agree 100% with your husband.

I have no clue what the thought was with the assignments, or if he was offered. I am excited to see what the teams do!

 

[Coach Kate]

I hate the uniform too. It looks sloppy, and I agree 100% with your husband.

I have no clue what the thought was with the assignments, or if he was offered. I am excited to see what the teams do!

He just easily won the all around so I have to assume he was offered them.

 

[skschlag]

He just easily won the all around so I have to assume he was offered them.

It looks like for the World Cup Circuit we are mainly sending specialists. The only one I think he *may* have turned down would be DTB Pokal.
When the notes come out, sometimes it will indicate if an athlete turned down an assignment.

 

[skschlag]

It looks like for the World Cup Circuit we are mainly sending specialists. The only one I think he *may* have turned down would be DTB Pokal.
When the notes come out, sometimes it will indicate if an athlete turned down an assignment.

That is also right in the midst of NCAA season. That is the priority right now.

 

[Coach Kate]

That is also right in the midst of NCAA season. That is the priority right now.

Good point, although there are some other NCAA athletes doing assignments. I hope we learn more about the process. I'm glad Yul is doing American cup though

 

[skschlag]

True.

For the two Asher is going to, he does not have a meet either weekend. And really, Stanford is so deep, they are usually ok with someone out.

Illinois does have a meet the weekend Brandon is gone. So that is an interesting choice.

And Parker Thackston will be gone for Big 10s. Again, an interesting choice. Not sure that one makes any sense.

I wonder if that will change once they realize the dates? I cannot imagine someone missing Big 10s, especially their senior year!

 

[Coach Kate]

True.

For the two Asher is going to, he does not have a meet either weekend. And really, Stanford is so deep, they are usually ok with someone out.

Illinois does have a meet the weekend Brandon is gone. So that is an interesting choice.

And Parker Thackston will be gone for Big 10s. Again, an interesting choice. Not sure that one makes any sense.

I wonder if that will change once they realize the dates? I cannot imagine someone missing Big 10s, especially their senior year!

And I think Fred has already missed or not competed in some of Michigan's meets. Case in point - did he miss for the winter Olympics? It all just seems a bit odd. Again hopefully we'll hear some more on the reasoning. I'll have to keep listening to neutral Deductions to see if they get any insight there

 

[skschlag]

He may have missed the Springfield meet, but they were not going to put him up. He also did not compete the first meet (or 2) when Michigan was giving the younger members and other teammates a chance. They often rest him in order to have him ready for postseason.

I more wonder how he is traveling to Europe during school semester.