“When preparation meets passion, when talent meets timing, when fire meets faith, when resilience meets the moment—you get the perfect storm.” That’s how Coco Gauff,, tennis star, Olympian, and a strong believer in greatness, described Jade Carey on the eve of the NCAA Championships. And honestly? She nailed it. Because who is Jade Carey? She’s the gymnast who paused everything college, normalcy, even her timeline to chase Olympic gold. And she got it.

But there’s one thing still missing from her collection: an NCAA national title. A perfect 10 on all four events. One of only 13 gymnasts in NCAA history to ever do that. The backbone of Oregon State’s program. And yet, this week, she’s not here for accolades. She’s here for the gold that’s always just slipped past her fingers. “I wouldn’t trade my decision for the world,” Carey said, reflecting on her time at Oregon State. It wasn’t the easy path. She deferred college for Tokyo, trained through a pandemic, and took online classes from Arizona. But this season, she’s lit the floor on fire, seven scores of 9.900 or better. And she’s not done yet.

Oregon State Gymnastics took to X with a single phrase that sent chills through the NCAA gymnastics world, “The Perfect Storm — Narrated by the champ herself, @CocoGauff.” In the video, Gauff’s voice didn’t just hype she honored. “Every storm ignites from a single spark. And for Jade Carey, that spark ignited years ago.” Years, indeed. From deferring college to pursue Olympic gold to training through a pandemic and finally setting foot in Corvallis as a reigning floor champion. Carey’s journey hasn’t just been about medals. It’s been about moments, grit, and building something bigger than herself. Oregon State wasn’t just her team. It became her identity.

“She’s conquered the world stage. But what about the NCAA crown?” That question hits different this year. Because Jade Carey isn’t just chasing a title. She’s staring down history. In four straight NCAA Championships, she’s delivered at a level most gymnasts only dream of. 168 career titles. 16 perfect 10s. Two gym slams. And the fourth-highest all-around score in NCAA history. But there’s still one thing missing. And yet, through all of that, her loyalty to Oregon State never wavered. This wasn’t just a pit stop between Olympic cycles. It was her home, her heartbeat, her storm brewing.

And now? The winds have shifted. “People ask if she’s peaking. No, she’s building. Storms don’t peak. They gather.” And as the national spotlight hits Fort Worth, Jade Carey stands at the center. Undaunted! This time, she’s not walking in with something to prove. She’s walking in ready to claim what’s been hers all along.  Now that’s the kind of support that flips the script, her rumored girlfriend Aimee Sinacola even shared an Instagram story.

The storm behind Jade Carey’s final NCAA flight

When Coco Gauff’s narration of “The Perfect Storm” dropped, it wasn’t just fans who felt the chills. Aimee Sinacola did too. Carey’s rumored girlfriend, a respected coach in the soccer world, reshared the video with the words, “the collab we all needed.” That single repost turned heads across sports Twitter, but the significance ran deeper. On March 19, Jade had already shared a heartfelt post introducing Aimee on Instagram and the gymnastics world responded with love. For Carey, who’s kept her journey focused, grounded, and private, this quiet show of support wasn’t just sweet. It was seismic.

Because after that came heartbreak. On April 4 at the Tuscaloosa Regional Semifinal, Oregon State delivered a thrilling 49.525 on floor in the final rotation. Carey led the pack with a stunning 9.950. The Beavers advanced to the final round. But on April 6, the dream slipped. Oregon State finished fourth with a 196.875, just missing a ticket to the NCAA Championships. But even in disappointment, Jade didn’t flinch. She soared. Her all-around score of 39.700 was the highest of the entire meet, securing her a solo spot at nationals.

And if you thought that was the end of her records? Not even close. With three perfect 10s on floor this season and despite the tighter judging, Carey still dazzled. For her brilliance, she was honored with the prestigious 2025 AAI Award. “Wow!! Extremely grateful and honored. Thank you for all the love and support,” she posted. So while Oregon State won’t be in Fort Worth as a team, their heartbeat will be. And she’s walking in, backed by love, belief, and an entire storm of support.