Retired Athlete Who Walked Out of NCAA Gymnastics to Fight Abuse Stands in Solidarity With Jade Carey’s Teammate: “Inspire Me”

The 2024 gymnastics NCAA season has been a thrill for fans all around the world. For the fans of Jade Carey, the 2023 Swiss Cup winner and vital member of the Oregon State Beavers women’s gymnastics team, the Olympic year has started in full swing. Clinching the title of “Pac-12 Specialist of the Week” for the second time this season, she is also currently ranked No. 1 nationally at the Rutgers January Quad.

Joining Jade Carey in receiving the special honors from the Pac-12 Conference was another gymnast who was the 2022 NCAA All-American, Bars from Lehi, Utah. In a surprising twist, this gymnast was also acknowledged by a former Utah gymnast who made a powerful exit from NCAA gymnastics last year in a stand against abuse.

Retired gymnastics athlete cheers for rising Beavers star

In an Instagram post by Kara Eaker, the retired gymnast from the University of Utah and two-time United States national silver medalist shared an exhilarating NCAA update. Sharing a picture of Sage Thompson of the Beavers squad dressed in white and black posing against an orange background, she wrote, “You inspire me every day to brave the world and be the best person I can be! I love you Sage!” Sage Thompson, along with Jade Carey, received special honors from the Pac-12 Conference.

She was chosen as the “Pac-12 Gymnastics Coaches’ Choice of the Week.” This award is given based on voting by conference coaches. Sage, who participated in three events at the recent Rutgers January Quad meet and did exceptionally well in all of them, having received high scores in vault, uneven bars, and floor exercise. But what common connection do Kara Eaker and Sage Thompson share that prompted Eaker to stand in solidarity with Sage?

How do Kara Eaker and Sage Thompson know each other?

Last year, on October 21, 2023, Kara Eaker, now an avid advocate for young gymnasts, spoke up against the abuse she faced, withdrew from the University of Utah, and ended her NCAA career by announcing her retirement. Months before this announcement, on May 30, 2023, Sage Thompson officially decided to leave the University of Utah and transfer to Oregon State. In a social media post, Thompson expressed her gratitude and excitement for the new chapter in her career, stating, “The color orange has always been special to me.”

Read more: American Olympian Jade Carey Reigns NCAA Gymnastics Season With 2nd Consecutive Honor

Thompson, a rising junior, played a crucial role on Utah’s gymnastics team, contributing to their third-place national finishes in both 2022 and 2023. Notably, Thompson also achieved a perfect 10 on bars against Minnesota on March 4, 2022, showcasing her exceptional skills in gymnastics. As Thompson continues her impressive run with the Beavers, fans are touched by the camaraderie that still exists between the former teammates of the Utah Red Rocks.

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