Oregon State arrived in Tuscaloosa with high expectations. They entered the postseason ranked #14 nationally, but had posted multiple scores over 197 during the season, something that signals elite-level contention. With one of the most decorated gymnasts, Jade Carey, in their ranks, OSU emerged as a serious threat to higher-seeded teams as they eyed a first National Championship since 2019. Most assumed she’d help carry them past the regional finals, especially after they advanced from the second round with a solid 197.050. But once the regional finals ended, Carey was the lone Beaver standing with Oregon State’s title dreams left behind in Alabama.

Florida was expected to deliver, and that is exactly what they did with a score of 197.700 to come out on top. California scored 197.575 points, but event hosts nailed the beam to end up with 197.675 and take the second qualifying spot. Oregon State? They were left asking what more we could have done. Beam wobbles here, landings there, and they could only muster 196.875 to finish fourth, and with it their hopes of reaching Fort Worth up in smoke. Yet, there was a silver lining. Jade Carey didn’t just show up. She showed out.

With a lights-out 39.700 in the all-around, she qualified as an all-arounder for the NCAA Championship. While the two-time Olympic gold medalist was happy for her accomplishment, she is heartbroken that the team is not making it through, and she has something to say now!

This is her fourth straight trip to Fort Worth as an individual, and each time, she’s gone without her Oregon State teammates. That stings! During the pre NCAA Championships presser on April 11, she was asked,  You’ve qualified for NCAAs as an individual now four times. How do you deal with the disappointment of traveling to Fort Worth alone when you’d obviously hope to be traveling with your teammates?” Carey sounded upset that her teammates won’t be in action.

“Yeah, I’ve honestly wanted nothing more than to get our whole team to nationals,” Carey said. “It’s been a huge goal of mine, and I feel like we are really close this year and had a really strong shot.” And she’s right. They were close. Carey led a charge this season with consistent 39+ all-around performances, backing her Olympic pedigree with clutch collegiate reliability. And yet… just shy. Again. “But just to know that they’re all going to be at home supporting me,” she continued, “and some are actually even going to come to Texas and be there in person, so that really means a lot to me to have a team that cares so much.”

Carey didn’t join OSU until 2022, three years after the Beavers’ last team Nationals appearance in 2019. She wasn’t part of that Fort Worth squad. She’s been chasing that team dream ever since. “Yeah, it’s sad to not have all of them there,” she admitted. “But again, just knowing that they’re all there for me and that I’m still representing our whole team while I’m there is really special, and I’m really excited.”

Jade Carey has competed at the NCAA Championships every season of her collegiate career. Last year, she earned silver medals in the all-around and floor, along with a third-place finish on beam, following a runner-up beam finish in 2023. As a freshman in 2022, she took silver on bars and placed fourth in the all-around.

In her senior season in 2025, Jade Carey has been nothing short of unstoppable. The Phoenix, Ariz., native closed out the regular season with four perfect 10s in her final four meets, cementing her No. 1 national ranking in both the all-around and on beam. While she will be aiming for title glory, her team will be wondering what might have been.

Oregon State opened the meet on beam, with Sophia Esposito scoring a 9.850 and Jennifer McMillan adding a 9.800 for a 49.000 team total. The Beavers came back with their best rotation on the floor, highlighted by 9.900s from Esposito and Sage Thompson, and a 9.950 from Jade Carey. Kaitlin Garcia contributed a 9.875, while Olivia Buckner earned her second-straight 9.850.

After a 49.100 on vault, OSU capped the meet with a near-season-best 49.300 on bars. Taylor DeVries started with a 9.800, followed by Natalie Briones’ 10th 9.800+ score of the season (9.825). McMillan added a 9.850 before strong finishes from Thompson (9.900) and Carey (9.950).  But ultimately, their efforts fell short.

A look back at Jade Carey’s team NCAA gymnastics 2025 season

Oregon State gymnastics had a season full of highs, and yeah, a pretty tough ending too. After all, this team came in with fire. They kicked things off by taking down No. 10 UCLA and pushing No. 4 Cal at the American Gold Classic. And then? They just kept building. Two wins in the next three matches followed, but they showed real momentum in the last three games before regionals.

Three straight meets over 197, including a season-best 197.700 in front of a record-breaking home crowd at Gill Coliseum? The vibes were strong. That momentum carried them to a huge milestone: their 50th straight NCAA Regional. Fifty! Since 1975, this team’s been a fixture at regionals.

But it begs the question, what more could they have done? Unfortunately, the road ended in Tuscaloosa. Going up against the likes of Florida, Alabama, and Cal was no small task. A few wobbles on the beam, some off landings… and just like that, their NCAA Championships hopes were dashed, and their search for NCAA Championships since 2019 continues.

Still, there’s one constant, Jade Carey. She crushed it all year, and, no surprise, she’s headed to Fort Worth again as an individual.