Gymnasts Jordan Chiles [1] and Jade Carey competed together at the Tokyo Olympics — Chiles was part of the four-woman American squad [2] that earned silver in the artistic gymnastics team competition [3], while Carey claimed floor gold [4] as one of two individual athletes [5] repping the US on the women's side. They both showcased their talent at the star-studded Gold Over America Tour [6] this past fall. Then, on Sunday, Jan. 23, they reunited when Chiles's UCLA, Carey's Oregon State University, and UC Davis went head-to-head in NCAA gymnastics [7].
Oregon State defeated UCLA and UC Davis, and along the way, Carey broke the all-around record for her school's women's gymnastics program with a score of 39.800, racking up near-perfect 9.975s on beam [8] and floor. According to Oregon State [9], Carey's all-around mark is the nation's highest so far this season. Chiles also flirted with perfection, earning a 9.925 for her bar routine.
While the two are rookies to the collegiate side of the sport, they're pros when it comes to cheering each other on: an excited Chiles [10] could be seen rooting for Carey on floor during the meet's live broadcast. When asked about it, Chiles said [11], "[Carey's] done such an amazing job. Ever since the day I first met her, she's been out there shining." Chiles added, "I needed to go out there and support her in that way like I did in Tokyo because . . . she's a boss!"
Ahead, check out more from the Olympians' reunion, as well as Chiles's stellar bar performance and Carey's high-scoring floor routine. They may be freshmen, but they sure know how to bring their A-game to the NCAA.