It’s Sunday!!! That means it’s Senior Sunday!! We are continuing our coverage of our Region 5 Class of 2020 graduates who have definitely had a crazy last few months. As we have officially entered Level 7 of this crazy Jumanji Game someone opened full of Corona Virus, Flying Snakes, Saharan Dust Clouds, Protests and whatever else the world is going to throw our way, these athletes have handled this time better than many twice their age. I am confident those that are part of the Class of 2020 from High Schools and Colleges will continue to persevere and handle anything that will be thrown at them in this crazy game of life.
Our next Class of 2020 Graduate is Kelsey Kollhoff from Gym-Nation in Ohio. Kelsey, who is a [2017] Level 9 Eastern National Balance Beam & All-Around Champion, graduated from Miamisburg High School and will continue her academics & athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the fall. Kelsey’s coach Patrick Jordan speaks very highly of not only Kelsey’s gymnastics talent, but how she is an athlete who catches the eye of others on the competition floor and shines under pressure. Patrick explains that he has watched Kelsey really embrace the leadership role on her 
Gym-Nation team where, according to Patrick, she has honed the skills to become both loved and respected by her teammates. She is also very good at reaching out to those younger teammates making them feel special and important. This leadership characteristic, that many gymnasts exhibit, will definitely be important as she leaves her home gym and steps foot into a new gym and family in Wisconsin. Let’s get to know Kelsey a little better as she finishes up her summer training at Gym-Nation as prepares for the next chapter as a Warhawk.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I started Gymnastics when I was 4, my parents put me into a tumbling class, and I liked it and just stuck with it.
What is your favorite event? Why? My favorite event is Beam because it’s what I’m best at
Favorite Skill to train/compete? Why? My favorite skill to train/compete would be a tkatchev on bars because it’s just really fun
Dream Skill? My dream skill is a double lay off bars
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of Gymnastics is the bond that you create with your teammates
What college do you plan on attending? Why? I will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the fall, with plans of majoring in Psychology. I will be continuing my Gymnastics as part of the Warhawk Gymnastics Team.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is The Cup because it’s our home meet and there are always so many friends and family there.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far would be placing first on beam & all around at the 2017 Level 9 Eastern Championships
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite Region 5 Series is coaches wired
3 Things you could not live without? 3 thing I could not live without would be Skyline, my phone and my dogs
If you could have 1 superpower what would it be? If I could have 1 superpower it would be mind reading
Discuss not being able to finish your senior season like you had hoped. The season ending like it did was upsetting because I wanted to finish my JO career strong and I had a few new upgrades that I was planning on competing by the end of season
What are you doing to keep up your training during Corona Quarantine? To keep up training during Corona Quarantine I did a lot of walking my dogs and going on bike rides
What do you miss most about gymnastics during this time? I miss being able to see my friends everyday and tell them about my school day
What is the first thing you want to do once you can get back to gym & training? The first thing I want to do when we can get back to the gym is to make sure I can still do all my skills
What will you miss most about being part of Region 5? I will definitely miss going to region 5 camps and getting to train with/meet so many girls from around the region
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? I had made it to finals at Arnold Classic, and everyone had to say their name into a microphone and I was absolutely terrified to speak in front of everyone. When I got up there to say my name, I forgot my name and just laughed and ran. 
Do you have a nickname? If so what Is the story behind it? no nicknames
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I would say cross country because being able to run for that long takes some serious mental toughness
Something you learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you? I learned that being confident in yourself will make things a lot easier
Most Memorable Gymnastics or Nationals Moment? My most memorable moment was finding out I had won level 9 Easterns AA, which meant I could get a puppy
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? The most valuable piece of advice or wisdom I have received from my coach has been to just be confident in yourself
How do you want to be remembered, but us here in Region 5 as well as your home club & teammates? I want to be remembered as someone anyone can come and talk to about anything no matter what
What is something special your friends, family, school, coaches or teammates, have done for you during this quarantine to make missing out on those special senior moments a little easier to handle? I got a lot of clothes
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I’ve watched greys anatomy from start to finish at least 15 times if not more
