McLean County Times

The Illinois State gymnastics team is gaining attention early in the 2025 season, thanks to notable performances by transfer student Jaly Jones. Jones was named the Midwest Independent Conference Co-Newcomer of the Week on Wednesday, sharing this honor with Kyleigh Ghanbari from Texas Woman's University.

Jones contributed significantly to the Redbirds' recent success, helping them secure a second-place finish and achieve a season-high score of 195.100 at the Next Level Gymnastics Podium Challenge in Battle Creek, Michigan. Her performance included three Top 5 finishes: tying for fourth place on bars with a score of 9.775 and achieving a score of 9.750 in another event. She also tied for fifth place on floor with a score of 9.800.

Additionally, Jones participated in an exhibition on vault, scoring a 9.775, which would have allowed her to tie for first place in the all-around competition with an overall score of 39.100 had it been counted officially. Over two meets this season, Jones has consistently performed well, sticking all six dismounts and maintaining scores above 9.725 across her routines.

Looking ahead, Illinois State University will compete at the Windy City Invitational in Chicago this Friday, January 17th. The quad meet will include Wisconsin-Stout, Fisk University, and Wilberforce University at Navy Pier starting at 7 p.m. CT.