AUBURN, Ala. – Freshmen Katelyn Jong and Marissa Neal of the No. 11 Auburn gymnastics team were recognized for their efforts last week in the team’s win over No. 9 Oregon State and earned weekly honors from the Southeastern Conference.
Jong was named SEC Freshman of the Week, while Neal secured SEC Co-Specialist of the Week. The honor is the first of each of their careers.
With their help, the Tigers topped the Beavers at home Friday, January 24 with a season-high 197.025. The team also reached season bests on bars (49.175), beam (49.450) and floor (49.400).
Jong tied a career best in the all-around, scoring a 39.500. That score was the highest by any SEC freshman this past week and upped her average to 39.412 on the season, which ranks 15th nationally.
The Allen, Texas product reached career highs in three events, starting with a 9.925 on bars in the second rotation. That score placed her in a tie for first overall and was her third-straight bars title. In addition, it moved her up to seventh nationally in the event (9.906).
She followed with another 9.925 on beam, earning a career high and finishing third overall in the event. Jong closed out the meet with a career-best 9.9 on floor to come in a tie for first. It was her second-straight floor crown.
Neal competed on beam and floor for the Tigers last Friday night and earned a pair of career highs.
Highlighting her performances was her showing on beam. Going fifth in the lineup, Neal put down a beautiful routine to earn a 9.975. That included a 10.0 from one judge. With that score, she finished in a tie for first, winning her second-consecutive beam title this season.
Neal closed out the meet in dramatic fashion, scoring a career-high 9.875 on floor to lift the Tigers to the team win.
Auburn takes to the road for a Friday night meet at No. 7 Kentucky. The Tigers and the Wildcats will face off at 6 p.m. CT and the meet will be streamed on SEC Network+.