Star gymnast Kara Welsh, 21, murdered in college apartment as university mourns 2 student athletes days into school year

A DECORATED COLLEGE gymnast was tragically shot in her apartment just days into the school year.

Just one day later, a second University of Wisconsin-Whitewater sportsman, around 40 miles east of Madison, died.

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Kara Welsh, 21, was horrifically murdered on Friday night at her off-campus home near the university .

Welsh, who was heading into her senior year of college, was shot by someone she knew, according to cops.

Police said the decorated gymnast was shot multiple times around 11:45 pm on Friday night, following an altercation with someone in her apartment building.

A 23-year-old man, who has not been named by cops, has been arrested and is being held at Walworth County Jail.

The suspect is facing several charges including first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct while armed.

It is not currently clear what the relationship between the suspect and the victim was.

Welsh’s college community and especially her gymnastics team have mourned her death.

Ryan Callahan, the university’s athletic director, explained the impact this tragic news had on her teammates, according to ABC affiliate WLS-TV .

“Right away, you just knew there were so many people impacted by Kara’s personality, her leadership and just being a great teammate,” he said.

She was respectful. She was a hard worker. She was a good kid.”

Nick Becker Kara Welsh's former coach

Her former coach Nick Becker shared his heartbreaking memories of the victim.

“Their parents clearly did the right things,” he said.

“She was respectful. She was a hard worker. She was a good kid.”

The university also confirmed the loss of one of its former NCAA Division III Basketball Champions this weekend.

Chris Davis died in his sleep due to a heart condition he was not aware of during his college playing years.

Davis led his team to the 2012 championship title and became the teams only ever student to win a National Player of the Year award.

Athletic Director Callahan shared his tribute to Davis and commended his character, according to CBS affiliate WDJT-TV .

Callahan remembered Davis as “one of the best to ever put on a Warhawk uniform.”

“Everything he did, whether it was his leadership, his ability, he was one of those guys people just gravitated towards,” he said.

His brother Reggie Davis shared an emotional memory about his older brother, according to WDJT-TV.

“He was a great man who gave his all to the youth,” he said.

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