“WAR EAGLE”: Gymnastics Community Rallies Behind Suni Lee’s Alma Mater’s Prodigy’s Elite Transition

The 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships saw the American elites pulling out all stops on their road to the Paris Olympics. The Senior Women ended the 60th edition of the National Championships on a high note. By the end of the competition, talents like Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, and thirteen others had made it to the 2024 Senior Women’s National Team for the Olympic Trials.

However, by the end of the night, for one talented gymnast, the competition marked the end of her elite journey. This 17-year-old prodigy has verbally committed to competing for the Auburn Tigers, starting in the 2024–25 season and as she transitions to Suni Lee’s alma mater, the gymnastics community rallies behind her in support.

Auburn Tigers’ recruit bids farewell to elite gymnastics after the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships

In an Instagram post, Auburn’s new Tiger Katelyn Jong shared a heartfelt message, saying goodbye to elite gymnastics. Uploading a two-picture carousel post, Jong penned, “My fourth and final U.S. Championships!🥹” The 17-year-old expressed immense gratitude and acknowledged the challenges she faced throughout her elite gymnastics career but emphasized her pride in persevering. Katelyn Jong finished the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships in 23rd place overall, scoring a total of 103.200 points in the All-Around competition.

She has had a successful career, which also saw her become the 2024 Winter Cup uneven bars bronze medalist this year and she even competed at the 2023 Pan American Games as an individual qualifier. Back in November, she signed with Auburn as part of the 2024 signing class, and she’s all set to kick off her journey as a freshman at Auburn in January 2025, marking her debut with the team. As her incredible journey in gymnastics comes to a close, the gymnastics community rallies behind Katelyn Jong, showering her with enthusiastic support as she begins a new chapter in the sport.

The gymnastics community cheers on the new “War Eagle” Katelyn Jong

Countless gymnastics fans and athletes took to the comment section of Katelyn Jong’s post to share their support for the gymnastics prodigy set to follow in Suni Lee’s footsteps. Juliette Landi, the daughter of Cécile Landi, coach to Simone Biles, wrote, “You’re so amazing Keko!!!! I’m so proud of you and cannot wait to see the amazing things that you do in Auburn!!! see you there in a year WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!!💙🧡”
A close friend shared their excitement to see her transition, saying, “So proud of you, Keko!! Can’t wait to continue to watch you shine at Auburn!!🧡💙”

LSU’s Kaliya Lincoln, who is the 2023 Pan American Games champion on floor exercise, commented and shared, “So proud of you keko🤍” and also said, “Omg I’m crying.” “We are so endlessly proud of you and will always be cheering you on!” said GK Elite, the brand behind the dazzling leotards worn by the champions Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, and Suni Lee. USA Gymnastics too was all praise for Katelyn Jong and wrote in the comments, “We can’t wait to keep cheering you on at Auburn! An incredible gymnast & an even better teammate, the Tigers are so lucky to have you!”

Lastly Joscelyn Roberson, a member of the gold medal-winning team at the 2023 World Championships, shared, “You’re so amazing Keko! I love you so much and can’t wait to see you in the SEC👀😉” As the Texas native Katelyn Jong is set to make waves as a War Eagle, what are your thoughts on her incredible journey so far? Share your thoughts in the comments below!