A rising star, a Yurchenco 1.5 on vault, a roaring crowd, a proud coach, a very supporting team, and the name was cemented in gymnastic books! The freshman was having a season—every debuting gymnast dreams of! From recording a stellar career high of 9.950 on vault just seven days back to being named SEC Freshman of the Week, she was having her “Just WOW” moments. The “pretty in pink” breakout star was having it all until it came to a still today! But what has halted her victorious run? Who are we actually talking about?

‘Gymnastics Now’ shared the heartbreaking news on its official X handle a few hours ago. The post stated, “Auburn head coach Jeff Graba said Katelyn Jong officially has a lower leg injury. #NCAAgym.” During a recent practice session, Katelyn Jong was seen using a scooter and wearing a boot, further indicating the severity of her injury. The signs suggest that her freshman season has ended abruptly, despite the lack of an official recovery timetable. Auburn head coach Jeff Graba confirmed the heartbreaking news, leaving fans wondering if this is the end of her spectacular run this year.

The injury must have forced Jong to the sidelines in today’s meet against Oklahoma. Along with her, Marissa Neal as well as Olivia Hollingsworth were also not present. And in the absence of such noteworthy names, No. 11 Auburn scrambled to rework its lineup and ultimately fell to No. 1 Oklahoma, 197.925-196.9, at Neville Arena. Jong’s absence was deeply felt, as she joined fellow sidelined teammates—freshman Marissa Neal and senior Olivia Hollingsworth—on the bench, cheering on their teammates instead of competing alongside them.

Lower leg injuries in gymnastics are often serious, ranging from minor sprains to severe ligament tears that require extensive recovery time. Just take a look at Florida senior Sloane Blakely, who suffered a similar injury in the meet against Oklahoma on 21st February and has already been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season. With Jong facing the same type of setback, speculation is growing that she too, may not return to competition this year.

While Auburn has not officially ruled her out for the season, the signs aren’t encouraging. If this is indeed the end of Jong’s freshman campaign, it’s an unfortunate blow for the Tigers and a crushing halt to what was shaping up to be a phenomenal debut year. Now, all eyes are on her recovery timeline, and fans can only hope that this setback is just a temporary pause in what promises to be a brilliant NCAA career. And we just hope Kately Jong could come back to compete for the team she always wanted too.

Katelyn Jong Likes to Compete Gymnastics as an Auburn Tiger

With an already successful career as the winner of the Junior National All-Around title in 2021 and a five-time United States national team member, Katelyn Jong was a highly sought-after addition to any college gymnastics program. For Jong, however, choosing Auburn was an easy decision. “I chose Auburn because the coaches were really supportive of me, and the culture of the school was really good. Everyone who comes here has a passion for the school,” Jong said.

Jong has had a dazzling start in her young NCAA career. She has earned a 9.9-plus score on every event. Among her standout performances, Jong cites her bar routine against Oregon State on January 24—where she earned a career-high 9.925. She competes each week with poise and her signature consistency, proving to be a reliable force for the Auburn Tigers.

As Jong continues to thrive in collegiate gymnastics, she remains a key asset to Auburn’s lineup. Her remarkable debut season is a testament to her hard work and dedication, and her presence on the team only strengthens the Tigers’ competitive edge. With her passion and talent, Jong is well on her way to leaving a lasting impact on Auburn gymnastics.