Oregon State gymnastics has been drawing unprecedented crowds all season, averaging over 5,000 fans per meet. Earlier in the year, they even set a new student ticket attendance record for a single meet. 9,042 fans packed Gill Coliseum, the largest crowd in the arena’s history for a gymnastics event, all to watch Jade Carey, raising $226,050 for Arizona Gymcats. And she delivered, as she always does, clinching yet another all-around and beam title, extending her flawless record to 10 wins in 10 appearances this season. But as the roars of the crowd echoed through the arena, so did a bigger conversation.
Why does a sport this electrifying still fight for the recognition it deserves? Jade Carey has never been one to shy away from that discussion. Women’s sports have shattered records. Just look at the 2024 NCAA women’s championship game, the most-watched basketball game at any level since 2019. But in gymnastics, where athletes perform at the absolute limits of human ability, the battle for respect and visibility is still being fought.
But if anyone needed proof of why gymnastics deserves more recognition, Carey just provided it with an all-time performance. Oregon State’s record-breaking meet was nothing short of historic. Carey delivered two perfect 10s on beam and floor, leading the Beavers to a season-high score of 197.700, the fourth-highest in program history. Her career-best all-around score of 39.925 cemented her dominance, making it clear that she isn’t just winning. Jade Carey also fetched two perfect-tens on beam and floor. What’s more, it wasn’t just Carey making history. Oregon State’s entire squad rose to the occasion, with multiple teammates setting season highs. Olivia Buckner delivered standout vault and floor routines, and the team’s collective energy electrified Gill Coliseum’s record crowd.
It was a statement. One that echoed the very issue Carey has been vocal about. In a powerful feature with POPSUGAR, the two-time Olympic gold medalist stressed the importance of giving female athletes their due respect, saying, “I think it’s definitely come a long way, but female athletes are truly some of the most incredible people and have so many inspiring stories that I think a lot of people can learn from.” Nights like this, with record-breaking performances in front of record-breaking crowds, prove her point. The talent is undeniable. And the world is finally starting to pay attention.
The momentum isn’t slowing down either. Oregon State is heading into their home finale against Fisk on March 21 with four 197-plus scores under their belt this season. Carey’s consistency, including another dominant performance in their recent victory over San Jose State, where she posted a 39.800 all-around and two 9.975s, has positioned the Beavers as serious contenders. If this season has shown anything, it’s that Jade Carey and Oregon State gymnastics aren’t just thriving. They’re setting the standard for the future of the sport.
The Oregon Beavers’ redemption arc: From Metroplex disappointment to a strong comeback
On February 21, 2025, the Oregon State Beavers stepped into the Fort Worth Convention Center for the Metroplex Challenge, expecting to showcase their dominance. But instead of a triumphant performance, they were dealt a harsh reality check. Facing No. 14 Arkansas, No. 19 Arizona, and Southeast Missouri State (SEMO), the Beavers finished third. It was a tough blow, especially considering Jade Carey’s individual brilliance. She won the all-around title and claimed victories on bars, beam, and floor, yet it wasn’t enough to lift her team to the top. The question lingered: Would the Beavers recover from this setback, or would the loss derail their season?
In the aftermath of Metroplex, Oregon State head coach Tanya Chaplin reflected on the impact of that meet. During a post-meet press conference on March 15, she admitted, “They [the gymnasts] did a great job of really staying strong, you know. I think we had a hiccup at Metroplex, um, that was probably one of our where we saw, like, that wear and tear hit us the most.” The disappointment was undeniable. But instead of dwelling on it, the Beavers embraced a fighter’s mentality. ‘Fall six times, get up seven.’ And they had to, because up next was Stanford, and this time, they would be without their star, Jade Carey.
The response? Resilience. Despite finishing third again, the Beavers put on a strong showing on bars inside Maples Pavilion, scoring a 49.300. No routine dipping below a 9.800. Chaplin praised their effort, saying, “But they came back the next week knowing that Jade was not going to be competing, and they came back really strong and competed strongly at Stanford.” The momentum continued into their next meet against San Jose State. Oregon State refused to let the Metroplex disappointment define them, proving their ability to rise above setbacks. As Chaplin put it, “And then brought that energy back to, um, San Jose before we came home so we were on the right trajectory.” From a crushing low to a steady rise, the Beavers showed that true champions don’t just shine in victory.
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