Oregon State Q&A: Carley Beeman

Carley Beeman enters the summer of 2024 coming off her junior season competing with the Beaver Gymnastics program. Originally from Golden, Colo., she has appeared in 26 meets during her collegiate career, including appearances in two NCAA Regional events.

A standout student in the College of Science, Beeman is studying Honors chemistry with a focus on advanced biochemistry and minor in biology and was named Undergraduate of the Quarter for her academic success this past January.

She was also one of 11 Beaver student athletes who traveled to San Pedro Macoris, Dominican Republic, to work on constructing a new floor at an orphanage as part of the Beavers Without Borders program in June.

Beeman participated in a Q&A with OSUBeavers.com about her path to Corvallis and the gymnastics program.

Do you remember the first time you stepped on the Oregon State campus and what it meant to you?
Carley Beeman: The first time I stepped on the Oregon State campus, I was excited to make it my home and get the most out of the next four years.

When did you know you wanted to be a student-athlete at the college level? What drew you to it?
CB: I think I really knew I wanted to be a student-athlete at the college level going into my senior year of high school. The opportunity to be part of a team and compete in college just seemed like so much fun to me and a great way to find a second family.

What's one thing you wish more people knew about gymnastics and what it takes to be competitive?
CB: Gymnastics is just as much or more of a mental sport as a physical one. You always have to be in the right head space when practicing or competing because it is so easy to get injured and to be competitive, the training must be intense year-round.

What does it mean to you to wear the Orange and Black?
CB: Wearing the Orange and Black means representing something larger than myself. It represents the legacy of student-athletes and the University that came before me, my current teammates, Beaver Nation as a whole, and the future of OSU.

If you could pick any other sport to play, what would it be and why?
CB: I would probably pick soccer because my brothers both grew up playing it and I always loved how team-oriented it is.

What drives you to succeed?
CB: The idea of not giving something my all and showing everyone who said I couldn't do it that I can drives me to try and succeed.

What makes you want to be successful off the field? What drives your success in the classroom?
CB: The desire to make my family proud and the long-term goals I have for myself make me want to be successful outside of sports and in the classroom.

If you could have dinner with three athletes, dead or alive, who would they be?
CB: Michael Jordan, Serena Williams and Nastia Liukin.

Who did you look up to growing up? What made you look up to them?
CB: I looked up to my mom the most growing up because she works so hard at everything she does and lives with her heart on her sleeve. In gymnastics, though, I looked up to Nastia Liukin because I thought her gymnastics was really pretty and wanted mine to look like hers one day.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
CB: In 20 years, I hope to have my own family and be a biomedical research scientist somewhere.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given? And who gave it to you?
CB: I think the best piece of advice my parents have given me is "you get out what you put in."

What kind of mark do you want to leave from your time in Corvallis?
CB: At the end of my time in Corvallis, I hope to be remembered as a kind and caring person who showed you can do anything you put your mind to.

Name your favorite thing to do in Oregon when you're not competing or studying.
CB: Hanging out with friends and enjoying nature, whether that's camping, hiking, or just being outside.

What are your favorite topping(s) on a hot dog?
CB: Just ketchup.

How about ice cream. What do you have to put on it?
CB: Chocolate chip ice cream with a little hot fudge on it.

Your preferred pre-competition meal?
CB: A salad with grilled chicken.

What's in your pre-event playlist?
CB: The Lumineers.

Players Mentioned

Carley Beeman

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