Finally reaching over a 197 score at home, the Beaver gymnastics squad stunts over Stanford Cardinal.
“I think this week we really had our why and really knew who and why we were doing what we’re doing today and so we really just channeled all that energy and went out there and did our job and we had a fun time doing it,” said sophomore Jennifer McMillian.
“We focused a lot on building from event to event and getting stronger as we went out,” said Head Coach Tanya Chaplin. “The score means a tremendous amount.”
The Beavers not only collected the win but McMillin and freshman Olivia Buckner got career highs on the beam, helping them push ahead of Stanford
“One of the things that the themes that we put into place was trust your training and I felt they really did go up there and trust their training,” said Chaplin.
On beam, the event the Beavers struggled with last week, and with senior Sydney Gonzales out with a torn Achilles, the team made an effort to change this week’s outcome.
“Something that we’ve talked about a lot this week is just keep it normal and have fun out, so that’s really what we did and so I just channeled all of my sisters’ energy and really had fun out there,” said McMillan.
The Beavers showed that they could come back from a tumble on an event and display what skills they know they can execute with their team’s confidence and trust in each other.
“I think we have one athlete competing on (beam) that competed last year,” said Chaplin. “I was really proud, you know that was a big hurdle to get over, was to have a successful third event and then that just carried on into floor.”
Apart from the team victory, Jade Carey officially surpassed 100 event titles in her career.
“It means a lot to me. Just to be able to have this opportunity to compete here and represent Oregon State is really special. To be able to get the 100 point at home was really special to me to have my team around me and our home crowd and all the support from Beaver Nation,” said Carey. “We all lean on each other a lot.”
Carey is the second gymnast in Oregon State history to pass the 100 mark, making her 15 titles away from tying the record with Chari Knight with her record of 116 wins.
“Jade is a phenomenal athlete, but she is a phenomenal person. I think she’s really stepped into a role this year that we haven’t seen her in in the past, I mean she’s a true team leader,” Chaplin said. “They really value what she brings and helps them get into a space where they’re able to compete with confidence and clarity and just be able to go after it and I think that belief she has in them carries a tremendous amount of weight.”
Up next, the Beavers head to Tucson, Arizona to face the University of Arizona Wildcats on Feb. 25, at 2 p.m.