Jade Gola’s path to becoming a future Cal Golden Bear has been anything but ordinary. The Miami native surged through the early levels with ease, only to spend years battling injuries that repeatedly halted her momentum—but never her determination. A 9.9 on bars while competing on a fully broken foot became the moment she realized college gymnastics was within reach, and with the support of her coach and the guidance of NextGen Recruiting, she found both clarity and confidence on her way to Cal. Now training at Victory Elite, Gola brings resilience, ambition, and a renewed love for the sport that once felt out of reach.
Responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Club gym: Victory Elite
College team: California
Hometown: Miami, Florida
How did you first fall in love with gymnastics?
In kindergarten, my mom signed up for a rec class with my friends. I ended up moving through the beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes within a month, and the rest is history!
What has been the highlight of your gymnastics career so far?
Probably getting a 9.9 on bars at level 9 regionals while my foot was fully broken.
You’ve got lots of upgrades in the works. What skills are you most excited about putting on the competition floor?
Rays on bars and back handspring Arabian on beam!
What are you really passionate about at the moment outside of gymnastics?
I love pickleball, going to the beach, hanging out with my friends, and being with my family!
Who has made the biggest impact on your gymnastics career, and how have they inspired or shaped your journey?
My coach, Ivanka, has made the biggest impact. I switched to her gym in the middle of last year as a last resort when I decided I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue with gymnastics. My body was so tired from dealing with so many injuries and never healing properly. I was mentally and physically ready to be done with gym. Ivanka quite literally reshaped my idea of gymnastics; she showed me that it’s OK to feel pain, to take breaks. She understood that sometimes I would need to miss gym to study or be with friends, and she convinced me that if I put in the work, I would prove to myself and everyone that I was talented enough to pursue my dreams of college gymnastics, and we did just that!
You have a long gap in your competition history. Can you tell us about your gymnastics journey to date?
My journey definitely has not been a straight line. I had a long break in my competition history because I was dealing with injuries one injury after another. I would break my foot, then I would have four months of amazing progress—all my skills ready to go—then something else would break. It felt like every time I started to build momentum, something new would pop up; nothing ever healed in time. Looking back now, I can see how those setbacks actually fueled me. They taught me how to fight for my goals, how to be resilient, and how to trust the process even when I couldn’t see the progress yet. Each challenge helped lead me to where I am today. Committing to Cal makes every struggle feel worth it because it shows how far perseverance can take you.
What drove you to keep going after injuries?
Every single time I got injured, I always told myself that there was no point in giving up because there was just so much left to prove. I’ve always put 110% of my effort into gymnastics, and I knew I wanted nothing more than to see my hard work pay off. I also knew everyone around me worked so hard to be able to help me feel good about my gymnastics, and I felt like if I gave up when things got hard, I was not only giving up on myself but everyone around me. Sometimes things get hard, but there’s always a way to push through them.
Was there a specific moment or competition when you realized college gymnastics was within your reach?
I realized college gymnastics was within my reach the day I scored a 9.9 on bars—even though I went into the competition knowing my foot was completely broken. That moment showed me that college gymnastics wasn’t about being fearless; it was about competing through uncertainty and still finding strength in it. It showed me that I am resilient enough to overcome anything in the sport.
You joined NextGen Recruiting in July. Can you tell us a bit about how that process worked and how it helped you ultimately commit to Cal?
I had a lot of dreams but not a lot of direction. Working with Sandra at NextGen helped me understand what coaches look for and how to present myself in the best way. She guided me through putting highlight videos together, which camps to go to, and how to communicate with coaches confidently. It made the whole process feel organized rather than overwhelming. Every week, we set goals and took steps that pushed me forward. Committing to Cal feels like the most amazing full-circle moment!
Looking ahead to your college career, what are you most excited to experience—both as a gymnast and in your personal life?
Looking ahead to college, I’m most excited to keep growing as a gymnast—but I’m equally excited to explore the academic side of the sport. I want to study injury patterns in gymnastics and work with professors who can help me analyze data, research prevention methods, and ultimately make the sport safer for future athletes. Gymnastics has given me so much, and college feels like the place where I can begin giving something back.
Rapid Fire Questions
Vault, bars, beam, or floor? Beam girl 4 eveerrr
Which four gymnasts would be on your college gymnastics Mount Rushmore? Audrey Davis, Maggie Nichols, Trinity Thomas, Alex McMurty
What’s your most-used emoji? 
What’s one of your gymnastics pet peeves? Rope. No.
What’s one of your pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I must eat ice cream the night before a meet.
What’s a hidden talent people may not know about? I can’t tell you because it’s hidden.
What do you want to be when you grow up? I WILL own an NFL team.
What’s your favorite leotard your college team has worn? This one!
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Article by KT Couldrey
