Tragedy struck the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater community on Friday with the shooting death of 21-year-old gymnastics champion Kara Welsh. A 23-year-old suspect, who has not been named by police, is currently in custody in connection with the incident.
According to authorities, the shooting occurred in an off-campus apartment, which was reportedly owned by the suspect. The police statement revealed that an argument had taken place between the suspect and victim prior to the shooting.
The news of Welsh’s death sent shockwaves through the university, with the gymnastics team taking to Facebook to express their grief. “Our hearts are broken with the tragic loss of one of our own, UW-Whitewater Warhawk Gymnastics senior Kara Welsh,” the team posted.
Welsh, a senior majoring in management in the College of Business and Economics, was a standout athlete who had won the individual national title on vault at the NCAA Division III championships in 2023. Her achievements on the gymnastics floor were matched by her dedication and work ethic, according to those who knew her.
UW-Whitewater Chancellor Corey King acknowledged the devastating impact of Welsh’s death on the university community. “We know the news of Kara’s death is heartbreaking for our close-knit university community. It is a time when we are all called upon to support one another, to process, and to grieve.”
Gymnastics coach Jen Regan remembered Welsh as a talented athlete whose legacy would live on through the team. “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,” Regan said.
Welsh’s former coach, Nick Becker, who had worked with her for nine years at Aspire Gymnastics Academy, recalled her as a driven and respectful individual. “She was a bulldog. Just right away – the hardest worker. Very respectful,” Becker said. He also remembered Welsh as a role model and mentor to younger gymnasts at the academy.
