Categories: Trending now

UW-Whitewater Mourns the Loss of Gymnast Kara Welsh

2024-09-02 14:35:02

**Release courtesy of UW-Whitewater Athletics

WHITEWATER, Wis.

–University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior gymnast Kara Welsh, a national champion and two-time All-American, passed away tragically on August 30, 2024. Flags on the UW-Whitewater campus will fly at half-staff on Tuesday, September 3 in Welsh’s memory.  

 

“To put into words the impact Kara had on the Warhawk community is impossible,” said Coach Jen Regan. “A powerful athlete, dedicated teammate, and the light in everyone’s dark days, Kara truly lifted each and every one of us up in her time as a Warhawk gymnast. There are no words to describe the void we all feel in our hearts, but Kara’s legacy will live on through Warhawk gymnastics forever.”

 

A phenom on the vault, Welsh holds four of the top eight scores recorded by a Warhawk gymnast in program history on the apparatus.

 

In addition to her high-caliber gymnastics, Welsh was a dedicated and supportive teammate. Her big personality and passion for motivating those around her helped her teammates succeed.

 

“Kara was a true Warhawk – an amazing person, student and athlete,” said Athletic Director Ryan Callahan. “We are all lucky to have spent time with her over the past three years. She was selfless and made everyone around her better. Our hearts go out to her mom, Nancy, and the rest of her family and friends.”

 

Welsh, a 21-year-old Plainfield, Illinois native majoring in business management, had an immediate impact on the UW-Whitewater gymnastics program the moment she set foot on campus. As a freshman, she was the anchor on the vault and the leadoff on the floor exercise. Welsh excelled in the high-pressure situations leading the Warhawks to a second-place finish in the WIAC Championship after tying for second on the vault. In her first National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Championship appearance, Welsh tied for third on the vault to earn All-America honors.

 

In 2023, Welsh won the vault title at the WIAC Championship meet and qualified for nationals as an individual. She went on to win the national title in the event with a score of 9.825.

 

In 2024, Welsh battled back from an illness to compete in the WIAC Championship meet – her first competition of the season. She stuck her vault in one of the best moments in Warhawk gymnastics history. Welsh tied the program record in the event, 9.875, and claimed the vault title for the second consecutive season. She went on to help the Warhawks to a runner-up finish in the NCGA Championship.

 

A GoFundMe page has been established with contributions supporting the Welsh family. For more information click here.

Please click here for updates with service and additional information as it becomes available.

 

# # # # #

News Today

Share
Published by
News Today

Recent Posts

Kareena Kapoor’s Next Untitled Film With Meghna Gulzar Gets Prithviraj Sukumaran On Board

Kareena Kapoor is working with Raazi director Meghna Gulzar for her next film. The project,…

19 hours ago

Purdue basketball freshman Daniel Jacobsen injured vs Northern Kentucky

2024-11-09 15:00:03 WEST LAFAYETTE -- Daniel Jacobsen's second game in Purdue basketball's starting lineup lasted…

19 hours ago

Rashida Jones honors dad Quincy Jones with heartfelt tribute: ‘He was love’

2024-11-09 14:50:03 Rashida Jones is remembering her late father, famed music producer Quincy Jones, in…

19 hours ago

Nosferatu Screening at Apollo Theatre Shows Student Interest in Experimental Cinema – The Oberlin Review

2024-11-09 14:40:03 A silent German expressionist film about vampires accompanied by Radiohead’s music — what…

19 hours ago

What Are Adaptogens? Find Out How These 3 Herbs May Help You Tackle Stress Head-On

Let's face it - life can be downright stressful! With everything moving at breakneck speed,…

19 hours ago

The new Mac Mini takes a small step towards upgradeable storage

Apple’s redesigned Mac Mini M4 has ditched the previous M2 machine’s SSD that was soldered…

19 hours ago