AUBURN, Ala. – In her Neville Arena debut, freshman Katelyn Jong won the all-around to lead No. 12 Auburn to a 196.7-196.25 win over No. 17 Arkansas Friday at Neville Arena.
“It shows me that I have been working hard and that I can trust the coaches and what they tell me. I’m happy I could do all-around,” said Jong, who tallied 39.475. “It’s really exciting. I’m happy with how the team did and how I did.”
The Tigers won three event titles outright and shared the floor title in a five-way tie with the Razorbacks.
“Being at home is a lot of fun,” Auburn coach Jeff Graba said. “It’s a privilege to be here and perform in front of your fans. We have a deep team and we intend to continue to use different lineups. It’s really good to see people step up when they get an opportunity.”
Jong’s roommate, fellow freshman Marissa Neal, also dazzled, winning the beam crown and sharing the floor title with Jong and teammate Sophia Groth.
“The crowd was amazing,” Neal said. “They were all super supportive and I felt the love and energy right away.”
Paige Zancan led Auburn in the first rotation, equaling her career high with a spectacular vault that earned a 9.9 in the fourth lineup spot to claim the event title.
“She works so hard,” Graba said. “It’s amazing, the effort she’s put toward improving that vault.”
After Sara Hubbard’s 9.825, Jong anchored, equaling her career best with a 9.875. Sarah Zois led off with a 9.8, a score Sydney Schumaker duplicated to give the Tigers a 49.2-48.925 lead heading to the second rotation.
Alex Irvine led off on bars with a 9.8. Emma Grace Boyd followed Bryn Bartman’s 9.775 with a 9.825. Sticking their landings, Olivia Greaves earned a 9.875 before Jong anchored with a stunning 9.9 to earn the event title.
“She’s so coachable. She’s energized,” Graba said of Jong. “She understands her technique. It’s a big relief to coach this kid. She is so fun to coach and so driven to be great. It’s not a surprise that she’s doing this.”
Auburn totaled 49.175 on bars while Arkansas scored 49.075 on vault, allowing the Tigers to increase their lead halfway through the meet after earning a 98.350 in the first two rotations.
Making her 2025 beam debut, Zancan earned a 9.75 before Groth scored a 9.85. Continuing her stellar meet in the next lineup spot, Jong scored a 9.85.
Neal won the beam title with a nearly flawless routine that earned a 9.925 from the judges before veteran beam standout Gabby McLaughlin anchored with a 9.85 to give the Tigers a total of 49.225, Auburn’s best rotation of the meet.
Finishing on floor after building a comfortable 147.6-147.025 lead through three events, Auburn delivered more crowd-pleasing routines in the final rotation, with its highest scores coming from the first four lineup spots.
In the leadoff position, Neal followed her brilliant beam with a 9.85.
“It was amazing, something I’ve always dreamed of,” Neal said. “I wanted to have fun and enjoy the moment.”
After Greaves followed with a 9.8, Groth danced and tumbled her way to a 9.85, appropriately sticking her last tumbling pass and finish to Abba’s “Dancing Queen.”
Jong closed out her all-around crown with a 9.85 before McLaughlin anchored with a 9.75 to give the Tigers 49.1 on floor.
“I’ve been waiting to compete here,” Jong said. “It’s been my dream to finally get out here.”
Auburn remains at home next Friday, welcoming Oregon State for a late show at Neville, beginning at 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer