“Let’s run it back, Beaver Nation,” were the words Jade Carey said to the Oregon faithful last year. The shiny light of Paris was still gleaming on her medals, but the mat sensation was already looking at her next target. And with it came a promise. If that’s not called winner’s mentality, then what else? After all, Carey was fresh off a gold medal, but she was eager to go back to Gill Coliseum one last time to set her legacy. And now, eight months later, it seems she has been anything but sensational. The Oregon gymnast has reached her fourth straight individual NCAA championship. But while Carey is on the foothills of glory, there is something she has to say. But what?
During the pre-national conference on 12 April, as Carey prepares for her fourth straight Individual NCAA Championships, she revealed what’s been driving her all along. What’s been her ultimate goal? The national title that’s eluded her so far. “This has been a big goal of mine for a long time,” she confessed when asked about returning post-Olympics with Beaver Nation’s support as she gears up for her final shot.
She even mentions, “To be so close to hopefully making it happen soon is awesome.” Honestly, her journey to this moment reads like a sports movie script! Reaching four all-around finals, with her best finish second just last season behind Haleigh Bryant and tied with Leanne Wong, she’s determined to break her glass ceiling when it comes to the NCAA. But despite all this razor-edge focus, she still managed to thank the folks who helped her on her journey.
“The support of Beaver Nation has meant everything to me,” she added, her voice filled with gratitude. “I couldn’t do it without the love and support of all of our fans. They’re incredible and really what ultimately wanted me to come back in the first place.” When questioned about personal growth since arriving in Corvallis, Carey, who, let’s remember, committed to Oregon State way back in 2014 but deferred until after winning Olympic gold in Tokyo, offered a candid assessment.
“It’s crazy to think back to my time before Oregon State. I feel like I’m a completely different person,” the 24-year-old Digital Comm. major admitted. “College gymnastics has allowed me to come out of my shell and fall in love with gymnastics again.” After all, what could be more meaningful than finding joy in your sport again? “It can be taxing and hard in elite doing the same things over and over,” she explained.
She continued, “But being on a team for the first time in my life was something special.” Frankly, her closing words capture everything about why this final season matters so much: “The bond and the family that we have on this team is really what’s helped me grow the most and be comfortable.” Jade Carey has been on a tear, season after season, for the Oregon Beavers, and let’s rewind it.
A look at Jade Carey’s time at the Oregon Beavers
Honestly, when you look at Jade Carey’s career at Oregon State, it’s nothing short of extraordinary! After committing way back in 2014 but deferring until after her Olympic triumph in Tokyo, Carey has been on a tear at the Beavers. Where do you even begin with her accomplishments? From her freshman season in 2022, when she hit a perfect 48 out of 48 routines.
But if you thought that’s all, then let us tell you it was her senior campaign where she stood on business. After all, she posted an eye-popping 39.925 all-around score—the fourth highest in NCAA history! Frankly, the numbers are staggering. Seven perfect 10.0s in 2023 alone. Twenty-three event titles in 2024 to claim sole possession of the program record with 117 total.
And this year? She’s swept the all-around competition in meet after meet, becoming the sole Oregon State gymnast to record 40 all-around scores of 39-plus. But what might be most impressive is what happened on Senior Night against Air Force. That’s when Carey achieved something only 3 other gymnasts have ever done. A second career Gym Slam by scoring perfect 10s on all four events!
After all, consistency has been her hallmark. She’s hit every routine she’s attempted across multiple seasons: 46 routines in 2024, 55 in 2023, and 48 in 2022. And now, despite Oregon State placing fourth at regionals and failing to advance as a team, Carey will compete at the 2025 NCAA Championships as an individual.
The post Getting Ready to Bid Farewell, Jade Carey Gives Emotional Glimpse Into NCAA Gymnastics Career appeared first on EssentiallySports.