Statements and GoFundMe Released In Kara Welsh UW-Whitewater Murder
Following the murder of Plainfield resident Kara Welsh on Friday in Whitewater, WI; a GoFundMe has been established for the family. You can reach the site here.
Meanwhile, Plainfield School District 202 has issued a statement on the tragic killing of Kara Welsh on Friday:
Plainfield School District 202 is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Kara Welsh, a 2021 Plainfield High School-Central Campus graduate, this weekend.
The entire Plainfield 202 community extends its deepest condolences to the Welsh family and friends during this time of unimaginable sorrow.
“The Plainfield 202 community is deeply saddened by the loss of Kara Welsh was not only a great student-athlete but an outstanding person who exemplified the best of Plainfield,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr Glenn Wood.
“She was a remarkable individual who touched the lives of so many in our community.”
Meanwhile, Welsh’s UW-Whitewater Gymnastics team also issued a statement:
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior gymnast Kara Welsh (Plainfield, Ill./Central), 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.
The 21-year-old was going into her senior year at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Welsh won the individual national title on vault at the NCAA Division III championships last year.
