“This has been a big goal of mine for a long time.” With those heartfelt words at the pre-national conference on April 11, Jade Carey opened up about what’s been pushing her through four NCAA seasons, Olympic glory, and a comeback many would have never dared to make. But for Carey, chasing one more shot at a national title with Oregon State wasn’t about medals or fame. It was about finishing something she started with the people who’ve cheered her on every step of the way.

And that journey took another emotional turn as she stepped up for her final bars performance as an NCAA gymnast. Competing, Carey still has beam, vault, and her iconic floor routine left, but this bars set marked the last time she’ll ever swing under NCAA lights. She delivered a clean, composed routine, scoring a 9.9125. Solid, sharp, signature Jade. But this time, it wasn’t just about the score. It was the quiet close of one chapter in a career that’s brought tears, triumphs, and an unbreakable bond with Beaver Nation.

Even LSU Gymnastics took to X with the caption, “Honorary stick queen tonight @jadeacarey 👑.” And honestly, the title couldn’t be more fitting. On a night packed with emotion, Jade Carey capped off her NCAA journey with the poise and power that have defined her career. Her bar routine scored a 9.9125, but fans weren’t measuring numbers. They were measuring moments. Carey’s presence on the floor felt larger than life, even as the realization hit. This was the end of an era.

At the NCAA Championships press conference, Carey offered a rare glimpse into just how long this journey has truly been. “Just a few days ago, I was talking to Michael [Chaplin, associate head coach] about how I committed here when I was 14, almost 11 years ago. Actually, it was already 11 years ago in March,” she shared, flashing a nostalgic smile. “So it’s just crazy that we’re here now, still 11 years later. I feel like that’s pretty rare to say.”

Rare indeed. In a sport often dominated by short careers and early peaks, Carey’s longevity, loyalty, and love for Oregon State set her apart. That 11-year arc, spanning Olympic dreams, a deferred college start, and a decorated NCAA tenure, reads like a legend still being written.

Despite Oregon State missing out on a team berth to nationals at the Alabama Regional, Carey is once again standing exactly where she belongs. Center stage at the NCAA Championships. This is Jade Carey we’re talking about. The gymnast who added four perfect 10s this season alone. The one who has shown up, delivered, and raised the bar time and time again. The one who made sticking around feel like the most powerful move of all. And in return, fans have continued to shower her with love.

Fans rally around Jade Carey’s final NCAA meet

It’s the kind of night gymnastics fans hoped would never come. Jade Carey’s final NCAA meet. As her historic college career reaches its closing chapter, emotions are spilling over from every corner of the fanbase. One fan wrote, “Absolutely sick thinking about Jade Carey retiring tonight.” That single post from a fan sums up the collective heartbreak sweeping gymnastics fandom. And honestly, can you blame them? Carey didn’t just compete. She redefined what sustained greatness looks like. Since stepping into the NCAA arena post-Tokyo, the Olympic gold medalist didn’t just live up to the hype; she exceeded it.

Her freshman year? A flawless 48-for-48 in routines. Her senior year? A record-breaking 39.925 all-around score, the fourth highest in NCAA history. It’s the kind of dominance that leaves a mark, and for fans, the thought of not seeing that signature poise is hitting hard, as this fan wrote, “Jade Carey’s last NCAA bar routine—someone help me 😭.”

Her stats read like a fantasy career. 7 perfect 10s in 2023 alone, 23 event titles this season, and 117 total to her name, the most in Oregon State history. Let that sink in. And then there’s her second career, Gym Slam on Senior Night. Perfect 10s on all four events, an achievement so rare that only three other NCAA gymnasts have ever done it. So yeah, emotions are riding sky high, because for the people who’ve watched her week in and week out, Carey wasn’t just a gymnast. She was a phenomenon.

Her final home meet back on March 21 gave fans a glimpse of Carey at her absolute best. Under the dazzling lights of Gill Coliseum, she shattered the “Queen of 9.975s” label and earned a perfect 10 on floor. Her tumbling was sharp, her landings flawless, and her artistry emotional. It was a masterclass in gymnastics and a love letter to her fans. The crowd erupted, the moment etched into Beaver history. The sad bit? Fans braced themselves for the goodbye. “Feeling all sorts of emotions getting ready to watch Jade Carey compete for possibly the last time,” one fan wrote. “Eight years have flown by far too quickly.”  That’s the weight of her legacy. One that’ll live long after the final salute.

“This cannot be Jade Carey’s last meet; I REFUSE,” one fan declared, echoing the disbelief felt across the sport. Another simply posted, “Jade Carey’s last ever college meet 🥲.” It’s the curtain closing on a storybook NCAA chapter that felt almost too good to be true. Carey’s consistency, fire, and loyalty to Oregon State turned her into more than just a national name; she became a symbol of excellence and heart. And while her last salute is near, fans aren’t ready to let go. How do you say goodbye to a legend? For many, the answer is, you don’t.