The NCAA gymnastics season for 2025 has officially begun, generating much excitement. And particularly with Olympic gold medalists such as one iconic member of the Beavers. And Jordan Chiles is making their return to college competitions. But here’s the surprise. The freshman is excelling. But Jordan Chiles, another Olympic gold medalist, is encountering more difficulty than anticipated in her season debut. So, what’s happening with these Olympic legends seeking to leave their imprint in the NCAA?

The Olympic gold medal narrative is a bit more complicated than many thought. While one has managed to maintain that elite level of performance, Chiles has had some struggles, despite scoring high individually. So what’s been going down in the opening meets?

Jade Carey’s dominance & Jordan Chiles’ struggles

Jade Carey came into the NCAA gymnastics season hot! At the American Gold Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Classic, she delivered a performance that made everyone sit up and take notice. Carey bagged a mind-blowing 9.900 on vault, digging the path for the season. Talking about her prior experience. Her Olympics have been beneficial, allowing her to take her abilities to the next level. This will help in leading Oregon State. Whether on her vault or uneven bars, Carey has been exceptional. She has demonstrated that she is fully prepared to tackle the collegiate gymnastics environment.

In comparison, Jordan Chiles and her UCLA team faced a bit of a rough start. Even though Chiles earned an amazing 9.900 on vault, UCLA still ended up in third place with a score of 195.250, falling short of Oregon State (196.275) and California (195.775). Despite Chiles’ high scores, the team wasn’t able to find their groove, suffering from uncharacteristic falls and mistakes. Coach Janelle McDonald pointed out how early errors disrupted the team’s rhythm, and despite Chiles’s impressive routines, the team’s overall performance just couldn’t live up to the hype.

Carey’s steady performance in the Pac-12 was underlined by a 9.950 on the floor. This has earned her an outstanding all-around score of 39.800. And bingo, it’s the top score in the whole nation for any gymnast this year. This score, along with a strong performance from the team, enabled Oregon State to achieve a strong result in the event. And has affirmed that Carey is not just an exceptional individual but also a leader for her team.

Meanwhile, Chiles, despite doing well on her own, struggled to elevate her team to the forefront. UCLA faced early errors that resulted in losing vital points, and although she performed well, the team fell short in the first game. Oregon State Gymnastics (@Beavergym) took the praise to their X (previously Twitter), stating, “…and she would get at least a 9.900😏 With a 9.950 on the floor, JC finishes with a 39.800, which is the highest all-around score by a single athlete in the nation this year🏆 #GoBeavs.”

What’s next for these Olympians?

UCLA’s struggles highlighted the difference between Jordan Chiles’ brilliance and the team’s collective performance. It was a hard start for the Bruins, and Coach McDonald emphasized that the mistakes didn’t define their season. “We’re going to turn the page and build from what we did today,” she said. Thus, although it has been an unsteady beginning, there remains significant potential for enhancement. Should Chiles and her team enhance their strategy and Chiles provide some leadership, UCLA can make a comeback.


Meanwhile, Jade Carey has been showing why she’s a top contender in NCAA gymnastics. Her performance at the American Gold Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Classic wasn’t just impressive; it set a new bar for what’s possible in collegiate gymnastics. With consistent routines on vault and uneven bars, Carey has proven that she’s not just a star in the Olympics but a force in the NCAA as well. With her stellar all-around performance and leadership, she’s the gymnast to watch as the season goes on.

Going forward, Chiles must discover the rhythm that was absent in the opener if UCLA aims to rebound. Her performances are impressive, yet the team requires greater cohesion to reach its maximum potential. Carey continues to be an exceptionally good performer, showing remarkable consistency as she keeps on guiding Oregon State. As the season advances, it’s clear that while both Carey and Chiles have gold medal backgrounds, Carey is currently the one generating the most excitement in NCAA gymnastics.