As Katey Koehl steps into her final season with Fairmont State’s Acrobatics and Tumbling team, she’s reflecting on just how far she’s come — and how much the sport has meant to her. The graduate student from Hartville, Ohio, has been a standout athlete for the Falcons and a leader both on and off the mat. Katey’s strong tumbling and reliable performances as a top have helped her earn Mountain East Conference (MEC) Athlete of the Week honors three times so far this season.
Katey started doing sports at a young age. “I grew up competing in gymnastics and eventually picked up competitive cheerleading,” she said. She was not sure if she would be able to keep doing sports in college. “I knew my options for college athletics were limited,” she explained. But during her junior year of high school, she got invited to an acrobatics and tumbling clinic. “After that exposure to the sport, I immediately fell in love.”
Fairmont State ended up being the perfect fit. “It was the first school I visited,” Koehl said, “and I knew fairly quickly that I would end up here because of the atmosphere and the welcoming nature provided by the coaching staff and the girls on the team.”
Now in her last season, Katey is helping lead a strong Fairmont State team with a 6-1 record. Their only loss so far was to Azusa Pacific University. In a recent meet against West Virginia State, Katey helped the team start strong and got a 9.725 in tumbling, which was the best score of the day. She did great again in the next meet against Long Island University, scoring a 9.775 on her tumbling pass.
Koehl has made plenty of memories during her time with the program, but one moment stands out. “I would say my favorite memory with the team was the 2024 national championship hosted by Fairmont State,” she said. “We competed against the number one seed, Baylor, and despite being ranked eighth, we showed the NCATA that we belong and should be taken seriously.” That day was extra special for her. “I was named All-American for the second time in my career. It was such an amazing experience to receive that honor while being in my home gym with my team behind me.”
As one of the team’s veterans, Koehl takes pride in supporting the younger athletes. “We have really amazing underclassmen who come in ready to work hard every day, which is really hard to come by,” she said. “When motivating and supporting younger teammates, I believe the key is leading by example while also creating a space where they feel valued and empowered to contribute.”
Along with being a strong athlete, Koehl is just as focused on her academics. She is majoring in Political Science and National Security Intelligence. As she looks back on her time at Fairmont State, she shares a piece of advice she would give her younger self: “Enjoy every second! We only get so much time to be collegiate athletes, and we should cherish every second we have on the mat. Be proud of repping Fairmont State on your chest and be kind to yourself.” As her final season continues, Katey Koehl is leaving behind more than stats and scores. She is leaving a legacy of leadership, hard work, and Falcon pride
