There’s a lot that happens on the gymternet each week. So much so that it can be hard to keep track of it all. From training updates and COVID-year announcements to recruiting rumors and coaching news, we don’t blame you for missing some important points here and there.
That’s where we come in. Last Week in College Gym is your one-stop shop for all the important headlines from the previous week in college gymnastics. No matter if you’re taking a social media break, went on vacation, or just don’t have the capacity to follow every single gymnast, team, and fan, we have you covered.
Top Storylines
UW-Whitewater Gymnast Kara Welsh Killed in Shooting
UW-Whitewater rising senior Kara Welsh was shot and killed on Friday night following an altercation at an off-campus apartment. The investigation is ongoing, but police have a suspect in custody who was known to Welsh prior to the altercation.
Welsh was the 2023 NCGA national champion on vault where she scored a 9.825, the third-highest vault score in program history. She was also a multiple-time NCGA All-American and WIAC all-conference honoree on vault. She did her club training at Aspire Gymnastics Academy in Joliet, Illinois. A GoFundMe has been made on behalf of the Welsh family.
Rutgers Opens External Investigation Into Gymnastics Program
Rutgers has opened an external investigation into the gymnastics program after several former gymnasts described the environment as “toxic” under head coach Umme Salim-Beasley, as reported by nj.com. Several gymnasts alleged they had made complaints about Salim-Beasley to former athletic director Pat Hobbs, but such complaints were not addressed. Hobbs resigned in the wake of the allegations.
Other Newsworthy Items
- Zan Jones joined the Texas Woman’s staff as an assistant coach. He was previously a volunteer assistant coach at Talladega.
- Oregon State senior Jade Carey won the Bill Hayward Women’s Amateur Athlete of the Year award at the Oregon Sports Awards.
- LSU senior Aleah Finnegan won the Kansas City Sportswoman of the Year award.
- Eli Stark-Haws joined UW-Stout’s staff as an assistant coach. Stark-Haws previously coached at St. Cloud School of Dance and Gymnastics.
Transfer News
- Brown gymnast Asta Farrell transferred to Michigan as a graduate student.
- Gustavus Adolphus sophomore Alexa Graziano transferred to Rhode Island College.
Training Updates
- Clemson sixth-year Rebecca Wells is training a Yurchenko one and a half on vault.
- San Jose State fifth-year Madison Kirsch is training an Onodi to back handspring series on beam.
- LSU fifth-year Olivia Dunne is training a double layout on floor.
- Minnesota freshman Teryn Crump is training a Yurchenko one and a half on vault.
- Iowa freshman Sydney Turner is training a gainer to two back handspring series on beam.
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Article by the editors of College Gym News
