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Iowa State Cancels the Season — Plus Risa Perez on What College Gymnasts Endure
Iowa State just cancelled the rest of its season!? We discuss the implications of this. Plus our interview with former Oregon State gymnast, Risa Perez on her college career, her switch from ASU (where the coach would be fired soon after) to Oregon State, and her TikTok about her college experience that gained lots of attention. HEADLINES Iowa State announced it's cancelling the rest of the season. WHAT!? Listen to our discussion on College and Cocktails ''It became apparent we do not have enough student-athletes available to safely compete,'' Iowa State Senior Associate Athletics Director, Shamaree Brown said in a statement College & Mocktails with special guest, Cal gymnast and World medalist, Ondine Achampong: Cal @ Clemson INTERVIEW: RISA PEREZ If there were one word to describe Risa Perez's gymnastics, it would probably be energy. From her spunky floor choreography and unique beam elements (hello there, front aerial to one-armed back handspring!) to her ability to engage and interact with the crowd, her gymnastics stood out. Perez began her collegiate career at Arizona State before transferring to Oregon State for her junior year in 2014. The 2016 Pac-12 beam champion hit 102 out of 110 total routines throughout her collegiate career. Perez qualified as an individual to the 2015 and 2016 NCAA Championships. Today we talk about her career, her move from ASU to Oregon State and the TikTok about her college experience that got lots of attention. References: Her badass beam save that is framed in our greatest beam saves of all time gallery Rene Lyst fired from Arizona State University The Balance Beam Situation's ASU Risa recap CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Cold open: Cortisone shot + "that's not a coach's decision" 00:00:29 – Intro: Iowa State cancels the rest of the season 00:02:38 – How does a team compete with no lineup? (ASU suspension flashback) 00:04:30 – Iowa State statement: "not enough student-athletes to safely compete" 00:04:58 – Alumni demand answers + rumors swirl 00:06:23 – Updates: American Cup ticket giveaway 00:06:42 – Merch drop: Team Bronze tee 00:07:07 – College & Cocktails plug: Oklahoma at Florida watch party 00:07:28 – Interview begins: Risa Perez (ASU → Oregon State) 00:08:34 – The TikTok that blew up: 'college gym' reality check 00:13:32 – Locker room culture + boundaries (why this matters) 00:15:28 – Message boards + rumor mill as a weapon 00:15:56 – Rene Lyst era: name placards, power plays, intimidation 00:29:25 – Puberty, periods, and what nobody warns gymnasts about 00:31:43 – Crippling cramps, hormones, and C-section recovery talk 00:32:41 – Hip dysplasia: pain you normalize until you can't 00:38:07 – The 'party' accusation read aloud (WTF moment) 00:41:51 – Team meeting confrontation + medical privacy 00:43:04 – 'Canary in the coal mine': how programs spiral 00:48:10 – Food/weight control + "you can't" rules 00:52:31 – College Mocktails teaser: Ondine Achampong on Cal vs Clemson 00:56:01 – Get more: Club Gym Nerd bonus + where to find everything UP NEXT Fantasy Gymnastics podcast every Wednesday College & Cocktails: Friday, Feb 13th at 6pm Pacific where we will watch Oklahoma at Florida on ESPN2 2026 Cocktail and Mocktail menu here Add exclusive Club Content to your favorite podcast player (instructions here). UPDATES Attention! We are giving away 2 tickets to the American Cup in Las Vegas Check us out on Bluesky NEW Team Bronze Design in the store! Join our Live Shows Replay tickets on sale for our fundraiser show with all the Tea from Cecile Landi 2026 Live Show Season Pass is now available, 4 shows for the price of 3 SUPPORT OUR WORK Club Gym Nerd: Join Here Fantasy: 2026 College Fantasy Game now open all season with weekly winners Merch: Shop Now Newsletters The Balance Beam Situation: Spencer's GIF Code of Points Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim Resistance Resources Join Our Fantasy League
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