Heartbreak Lingers in Oregon Beavers’ Camp as Jade Carey’s Teammate Shares Sad Update Ahead of NCAA Gymnastics Championship

“Officially official….Welcome home, Sage (orange heart): “Dressed in a offwhite-black Leos, hands up in the air with beavers flag, and a smile on the face. On June 22, 2023, OSU Gymnastics posted the same on Instagram to celebrate the Utah transfer into Beavers nation. She came and etched her name in Beavers’ history! Want proof? Competing in 12 meets in her first season at OSU, Jade Carey’s teammate scored her career best of 9.850 on the vault,9.800 on the balance beam, and 9.900 on the floor. While also claiming the all-around for the first time. And this season, well, she has scored seven 9.900 on the floor. But, as they say, ‘nothing is permanent!’

Sage Thompson took to Instagram today to announce her farewell to the sport: “Gymnastics taught me so many life lessons, brought amazing memories, as well as amazing friends. I am ending the sport with the same love I had for it when I first started.” She was in kindergarten at a Montessori school, she was introduced to gymnastics through a 30-minute class. The next thing she knew, she asked her mother to enroll her for “real gymnastics.”

She further added, “Thank you to all of my coaches and teammates for being a part of my journey and growth. Thank you to my Mom, family, and friends for always being there for me no matter what. And thank you to all the fans for your support.” Her collegiate gymnastics career began at Utah, where she was under coach Tom Farden. Later, she joined Oregon State University’s gymnastics team ahead of the 2024 NCAA season. Here, she had head coach Tanya Chaplin training her.

“Excited for my next chapter, but this one will always hold a special place in my heart🤍,” she concluded. Whatever the next chapter, maybe this is the end of a beautiful one.  2019 Junior Olympic uneven bars national champion, 2024 Pac-12 Honorable Mention, 2023 Pac-12 Winter Academic Honor Roll – these are some accolades that glitter on her wall.

Thompson had been praised by big names before, but she would have been even happier when her teammate, 2-time Olympic Gold medalist Jade Carey, commented on her post, “proud of you!!”. Well, coming to the 2025 NCAA Championship, despite Carey’s good performance through the 2025 season, OSU did not make it to the NCAA finals.

Jade Carey shines, but OSU stumbles

April 4, 2025 –  The Tuscaloosa Regional Semifinal. Oregon State finished second with a team score of 197.050, advancing to the regional final. The team recorded a 49.525 score on the floor exercise in the final rotation, all thanks to the trio of 9.900-plus scores from Esposito (9.900), Sage Thompson (9.900), and Carey (9.950).

Then came the finals on April 6, but destiny had some other plans for the OSU. Oregon State placed fourth with a team score of 196.875, narrowly missing a spot in the NCAA Championships. They finished last behind the Florida Gators(197.700), California (197.575), and the University of Alabama (197.675). However, Jade Carey shone like a bright star!

Jade Carey showcased her exceptional skills during the regionals. She achieved a 39.700 all-around score in the regional final, the highest of the meet, earning her an individual qualification to the NCAA Championships. Carey’s performance this season includes three perfect 10.0 on-floor. And it’s not at all a small feat, given how tough the scoring has been this season. For her performance in the 2025 season, Carey was awarded the 2025 AAI Award, and expressing gratitude for it, she said, “wow!! extremely grateful and honored. thank you for all the love and support.” She also gave a shout-out to all the finalists and said that they are paving the way for NCAA gymnastics.