Oregon Beavers Coach reveals how non-olympic year has made a "big difference” for Jade Carey and for the Beavers

Jade Carey’s Oregon Beavers Coach Gets Candid on Non-Olympic Year Turning Into a Blessing in Disguise: “Different Year”

All-American honors in all five events, record-breaking performances with 11 all-around and beam victories, and three perfect 10s. Mind-blowing, right? It’s just a few of Jade Carey’s accolades. And that’s too from this NCAA season alone. The soon-to-say-goodbye Oregon Beaver star comes with a stuffed resume, which won’t fail to impress anybody. And mind you, there’s no lie! Just look at what she has achieved: from being 13th NCAA Gymnast All-Time to Complete GymSlam to being named Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year twice, Nine-Time Pac-12 Gymnast of the Week, 2024 WCGA Bars All-American, and First Team, she has done it all. And, well, the Olympics is also checked from her list not once but twice. But, it seems, her coach likes her in the non-Olympic year a little more. Confused? Don’t be! Here’s the scoop! Jade Carey’s coach, Tanya Chaplin, laid it out plain and simple during the NCAA regional pre-presser [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qola1sLU1RU] posted by OSUBeaversathletics on YouTube on April 2, 2025. She said, “I think you know it’s been a different year for Jade because she doesn’t have to focus in on the international routines.” Jade Carey isn’t just a name in gymnastics—she’s a force. The 2024 Olympic team champion, as well as the vault bronze medalist, has spent years balancing the demands of elite international routines with her NCAA career at Oregon State. But this year, with the Paris Olympics behind her and no international duties to tend to, she has shifted her focus to the NCAA. Chaplin further added, “It’s been nice to see her being able to finish her assignments and then help others. Not that she didn’t help others before, but she has the time to put more into her teammates than maybe she did before.” Jade Carey had a record-breaking day in front of 9,042 fans on March 15 in the meet against Air Force in Gill Coliseum. She led the Beavers with scores that left fans roaring and opponents scrambling with a pair of perfect 10s on beam and floor. But this year, with no Olympic routines to perfect, her coach has noticed a shift that’s less about individual glory and more about the bigger picture. “Because she was constantly having to train longer or do more routines and more skills, and just it’s a different training and a different balance. So that has made a big, big difference for her,” her coach said. For years, Carey’s life was a high-wire act—balancing NCAA meets with the demands of elite gymnastics. In the 2023 NCAA Championship, Jade Carey failed to top the individual balance beam event. She was left off the world champions team and didn’t have a great year in the elite, as well. [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/WhatsApp-Image-2024-12-23-at-1.09.20-AM-1.jpeg] International training meant longer hours, more routines, and a relentless push for perfection. This year, she had time to stick around to coach up her teammates more, as highlighted by coach Chaplin. “… just having the ability to have those conversations with teammates outside of practice too, whereas you know you become so absorbed with what you’re doing and training for the Olympic Games in addition to all the NCAA training,” she added. Together, Oregon State established several season-bests and reached within striking range of program records while competing with the Air Force, beginning with a vault team that established a new season-best total for a rotation, posting a 49.325. Oregon Beavers head coach also highlighted the times when Carey used to cheer the team, even when she was not competing herself, saying, ...you know her talking to someone before an event and getting them ready for an event, I mean, even when she didn’t compete with us at Stanford, she videotaped her talks before so that she could do a fist bump over video so she wasn’t going to be there in person, you know.” The Beavers ended with a final team score of 196.625 for a third-place finish behind No. 5 Cal and No. 14 Stanford and ahead of UC Davis in this Stanford quad meet on 28th February 2025. Jade Carey has been a cornerstone of the Beavers’ success, helping them climb the rankings while earning individual honors. Now, with the NCAA regionals all approaching, let’s see what magic Beavers and Carey bring in the regionals. JADE CAREY AND OREGON BEAVERS READY FOR NCAA REGIONALS As the NCAA gymnastics postseason kicks into gear, Jade Carey and the Oregon State Beavers are primed for action, heading to the Tuscaloosa Regional with a legacy of excellence behind them. The Beavers have made it to the regionals after strong individual and team performances that included three straight 197-plus performances and a season-high 197.700. The Beavers will face off against a tough field in Tuscaloosa, hosted by the University of Alabama. Joining them are North Carolina, Kent State, and one among Clemson and Rutgers, with the first meet set for April 4th at 5 p.m. PT/7 p.m. CT in Coleman Coliseum. The Beavers have claimed 10 regional titles and produced 76 individual regional champions since 1975. This year’s squad, under the guidance of head coach Tanya Chaplin, is poised to add to that tally. Carey’s leadership has been a game-changer [https://www.essentiallysports.com/olympics-gymnastics-news-jade-carey-pens-down-emotional-note-as-oregon-state-teammate-bids-tearful-ncaa-gymnastics-farewell/], and she has inspiring teammates like sophomore Sophia Esposito and returning veteran Ellie Weaver, who made a triumphant comeback after a 413-day injury hiatus. As the Beavers prepare to take on the postseason, Carey’s focus and the team’s depth signal they’re not just here to compete—they’re here to win. 

Himanshi Garg is an Olympics Editor at EssentiallySports. Having worked as a Creative Writing Intern Himanshi honed her craft through published research articles and collaborative projects. Her love for the Olympic Games spans across events like track and field, gymnastics, and swimming, but what captivates her the most are the tales of camaraderie, sportsmanship, and perseverance displayed by athletes.

She is an avid follower of American gymnastics, Himanshi finds inspiration in the stories of teamwork, dedication, and personal triumphs within the sport. When Himanshi is not crafting compelling sports narratives, she enjoys baking, reading, and painting. To learn more about her work, catch her on:

Himanshi Garg

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Jade Carey’s Oregon Beavers Coach Gets Candid on Non-Olympic Year Turning Into a Blessing in Disguise: “Different Year”

Jade Carey’s Oregon Beavers Coach Gets Candid on Non-Olympic Year Turning Into a Blessing in Disguise: “Different Year”

Jade Carey and Oregon Beavers ready for NCAA regionals