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Plainfield community mourns loss of star gymnast Kara Welsh, killed in Wisconsin
The community of Plainfield is mourning the loss of a standout gymnast who was tragically killed while away at college in Wisconsin. Tributes are now pouring in for Kara Welsh, who leaves behind her parents and a sister.
PLAINFIELD, Ill. - The community of Plainfield is mourning the loss of a standout gymnast who was tragically killed while away at college in Wisconsin.
Tributes are now pouring in for Kara Welsh, who leaves behind her parents and a sister.
The Plainfield native dedicated much of her free time to training at Aspire Gymnastics Academy in Joliet.
The 21-year-old was shot and killed at an off-campus apartment near the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Friday. Welsh was majoring in business management and was heading into her senior year. Whitewater police have arrested a 23-year-old on a first-degree murder charge.
Counseling services are available to UW-Whitewater students, faculty and staff. The school’s flag will also fly at half-staff on Tuesday when the fall semester begins.
Welsh was a member of the Warhawk gymnastics team and last year, she won the individual national title on vault at the NCAA Division III Championships.
"It's a very tight-knit community. She had roommates that were on the team. You know, some of her best friends were on the team," said Ryan Callahan, Athletic Director of UW-Whitewater. "Kara was an amazing person, you know, her loss is going to be felt forever. We talk a lot about legacy, you know, from our staff and to our students. And, you know, what's your legacy going to be here? And Kara left a legacy that's — that's ingrained in gymnastics and Warhawk athletics forever."
The chancellor of the university said details for her memorial services will be shared soon.
A GoFundMe campaign to support her family has raised more than $29,000.