Oregon State’s Jade Carey headed back to second straight Olympics.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- For the casual observer, it may seem like Oregon State’s Jade Carey had the inside track to make her second straight Olympics. After all, she’d already made the squad just three years ago.

However, that was not the case for her headed into Olympic Trials. She was among a group of gymnasts vying for the final few spots and her 2023 elite gymnast season left a lot for her to be desired.

“We learned a lot from last year, as tough as it was. To be left off of the world’s team and not have the year that I’m used to, we learned a lot from those experiences and those moments,” said Carey. “We changed our plan and focused a lot more on elite than we had in the past which really paid off.”

That may somehow be an understatement when referencing making an Olympic roster.

Even though Carey focused more on her elite-level season this year, she still competed for Oregon State as well. That is unheard of to do both in an Olympic year, so Carey truly does feel like this go around at the Olympics she’s representing both her country and her school.

“It means everything to me,” said Carey. “This has never been done before in gymnastics. To kind of be able to pave that way and prove to everybody else that if it’s something that you want to do, you can do it.”

In Tokyo, the 24-year-old only competed in specialist events, meaning her events didn’t count towards the team event total.

“I’m definitely more excited to be a part of the team this time. That’s something I’ve always wanted to experience, and I know that we have a big goal of bringing home a team gold,” said Carey. “Just to even think about being a part of that and contributing to that is really special.”

Another difference this time for Carey? She will be competing in a normal Olympics without COVID protocols.

“My family will be up there in the stands so that means everything to me because they weren’t able to be there last time. That just means a lot,” said Carey.