Another season of NCAA gymnastics is upon us. With the last season of the national championship being a historic one thanks to the LSU Tigers’ unprecedented victory, fans expect this year’s championship run to be just as enthralling. However, while the excitement about what lies ahead is justifiably incredible, the community cannot forget how they were robbed of seeing a star cement their place among gymnastics greats.

The tragedy that befell Kara Welsh in August last year shocked the entire country. The 2022 NCGA third place finisher, and 2023 DIII national vault champ, was to enter her senior year at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, but tragically passed away after a fatal off-campus shooting on August 30. Gymnastics fans came together to mourn the devastating incident. Now, as the new NCAA season commences its run, it seems like the community is still tending to an aching heart.

A rising star was met with a heartbreaking end to life

On January 3, Planet of Gymnastics took to Instagram to remind everyone how the 21-year-old Warhawk gymnast could have awed fans with her skills with her mesmerizing vault and floor exercise routines. Captioned, “forever in all of our hearts,” the social media update laments the loss of the comrade who was poised to end her run at Whitewater on a high note. The post shares the words of another community member, which reads, “With college gym season starting tomorrow, I want to honor Kara Welsh. No one should lose their life at the hands of another.”

Chad T. Richards, a 23-year-old former UW-Whitewater wrestler, was arrested in connection to Welsh’s demise. Richards was found in the apartment where the gymast was found dead. As per the statement released by the police, “Through investigation, it was determined that leading up to the shooting, an altercation had occurred between the two.”

Following the incident, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Chancellor Corey A. King noted that the students at the university would be given counselling services to cope with the loss of their colleague. The UW-Whitewater Athletics also wrote on social media, “Our hearts are broken with the tragic loss of one of our own.” Following the recent IG post, fans once again joined hands to express their grief over Welsh’s untimely death.

The gymnastics community mourns Kara Welsh

Considering how 21 is a very young age in adulthood, gymnasts often have the best days of their lives ahead of them at that pint. Naturally, Welsh not being able to fulfil that potential continues to torment gymnastics connoisseurs who love watching athletes bring their A-game to the sport. “You did not deserve that. RIP angel,” wrote one fan, underscoring how Richards’ actions stole the community of the chance to witness another prodigy make her mark. “RIP sweet girl,” mourned another fan.

“This breaks my heart,” commented another gymnastics follower. “Kara, 21 years old, was excited to be in her rising senior year as a gymnast at UW-Whitewater which was abruptly cut short on August 30th, by a heartless act of violence,” read a GoFundMe statement by the Welsh family, and this fan feels the tragic turn of events with all their heart.

Despite a lot of contoversies and arguments, gun violence continues to be rampant in the USA. With Welsh’s demise, the fans once again highlighted how stricter laws should be enforced so that such precious lives are not lost to mindless crime. “Another beautiful soul lost to gun violence,” wrote one fan in the comment section.

Welsh’s teammates and friends were also devastated by her fate. One of them commented, “The most supportive & funniest friend anyone could ever have,” highlighting how Kara was a joy to be around. Are you also among the fans who can’t forget how one of our kin was taken from us? Share your message for Kara Welsh and her family in a comment.