“I don’t think either one of us would be here today without the friendship that we’ve had,” Jade Carey admitted, reflecting on the unshakable bond she shares with fellow gymnast Jordan Chiles. In a sport where pressure and expectations can feel suffocating, the duo’s bond has acted as a lifeline. The gymnastics competition between Carey and Chiles led them to become floor adversaries, yet their support for each other off the field continues to flourish. For the unversed, this bond dates back to their first meeting at a national team training camp in 2017. But what truly cemented their friendship was their shared mission to bring joy back into elite gymnastics.

Competing at Oregon State University and UCLA, the duo has embraced the NCAA experience, proving that gymnastics isn’t just about medals. The two athletes sat together for an interview about their life stories to discuss how the partnership transformed them through mutual encouragement inside and outside the gym.

“Both of us got to experience a more relaxed energy and fun atmosphere on our college teams, so we wanted to be able to do that together in elite the past four years,” Carey said. The intensity of elite gymnastics is undeniable, but the NCAA world introduced them to a side of the sport that wasn’t solely about podiums.

That mindset has carried over into their elite careers, where they continue to uplift and push each other. Whether competing on opposite coasts or reuniting under the Team USA banner, their bond remains unshaken. “We always have that trust in each other,” Carey added. “No matter what’s going on in life, we’re going to be there for each other.” Chiles echoed the sentiment that their friendship is bigger than the sport itself. Moreover, the sportswomen also partnered with Barbie before International Women’s Day on March 8 to introduce role model dolls featuring their appearances.

The pair have achieved a cyclical life achievement since their childhood when they admired legendary Olympians. In 2025, they now find themselves on the precipice of greatness! As they prepare for the next chapter of their careers, one thing is clear that whatever the future holds, they’ll be facing it together. However, the spirit of competition must remain alive as displayed by a shake-up in rankings.

Jade Carey soars past Jordan Chiles in NCAA rankings

The absolute tear Jade Carey has unleashed throughout the season has earned her an official position as the premier NCAA gymnast over her longtime friend and teammate Jordan Chiles. The undefeated record from 2025, together with her 39.690 all-around average for four consecutive weeks, secured Carey the number-one gymnast spot in the United States. While Chiles shines brightly at UCLA, Carey now leads the rankings over other gymnasts as well as the Oklahoma competitive squad.

The gymnastic rankings serve only as one element in this discussion. The superiority displayed by Carey finds its backing through breaking multiple competitive records. She became a record holder with a shocking 39.800 all-around score during NCAA gymnastics, which became the best result in the competition’s history, showing how her Olympic proficiency connects effortlessly to college gymnastics. Though she attempts to achieve the unattainable perfect score, she maintains an exceptional standard that positions her at the front.

Even as Carey continues to dominate the rankings, their bond remains unshaken. “I remember Jade turning around and shaking her head, like, ‘Yes, I’m there with you. Let’s have fun,'” Chiles recalled in the interview. She reflected on a special moment during their first championships together. “I don’t know who is with me on this, but let’s have fun today. I went to college; there are people here who went to college, and we were able to have fun. If anybody wants to join me, you can.” Carey immediately signaled her agreement, proving once again that their connection goes beyond scores.

It’s about pushing each other to be better. Let us know in the comments what you think about their loving relationship despite being strong competitors to each other!