By Haddy Barghouti – Spear Reporter | Freshman Madison Gustitus competing on the beam against Oregon State (Photo by Anfisa Pitchkhadze – Spear photographer)
In a thrilling senior night meet showcasing the arrival of Olympic star Jade Carey, San Jose State faced off against Oregon State Sunday afternoon.
It was a neck and neck meet with energy from both sides. SJSU put up 195.750 total points, while the Beavers put up 197.025.
The Spartans faced the Beavers for the second time this season, after losing to them in Oregon on January 17th.
Carey put on a show in front of the away crowd, leading the game in points for all four events.
Spartans bars and beam senior Sophia Konieczny joined Carey’s party, as she finished top six in bars, recording a score of 9.800.
“I think it’s always a good opportunity for us when we have a big team and a big name,” Konieczny said. “It draws more people in to come watch us, and maybe this is the first time they see gymnastics, and they’re gonna come back.”
Carey faced off in the last two summer Olympics, where she secured gold for U.S.A.
She continues to be an athlete who many opposing players look up to.
“I have two or three gym meets left in my whole life, but I still look at her, and I’m like, this is what I wanna do,” Konieczny said. “She’s an inspiration for people my age, for young people, for everybody, so it’s amazing to see her still be able to go out, do her thing and rock it every time.”
Carey came out just short of a perfect score, putting a score of 9.975 in the vault and beam.
“I told the team today, ‘I hope you guys watch her, and then for the rest of your lives, you can tell your children I competed against Jade Carey,’” SJSU gymnastics coach Joanne Bowers said.
Carey helped attract more fans to the event center, hosting over 1500 guests.
“This was absolutely fantastic that they came to us, and then our Bay Area gymnastics fans got to see a really good program, and got to see an olympian,” Bowers said.
The Spartans will now move on to the Mountain West tournament, and after hosting Carey with three medals, it could give them some much-needed momentum heading into the tournament.
“I use the inspiration that she brings because her mental toughness from the time she was a freshman,” Bowers said. “She came into college and never showed.”
