In 1987, Jeal finished third behind Lesley-Ann Skeete and Kim Hagger at the UK Championships and third at the AAAs Championships behind Sally Gunnell and Skeete, earning selection for the World Championships in Rome, where she was eliminated in the heats, running 13.44. At the 1988 AAAs Championships, incorporating the Olympic trials, Jeal once again finished third behind Sally Gunnell and Lesley-Ann Skeete, earning Olympic selection. At the Seoul Olympics, she reached the quarter-finals, running 13.32.