Illinois women's gymnastics head coach, Nadalie Walsh, announced the addition of Kelsea Kocan to her staff.

"Kelsea is a great addition to my staff and I can see how everyone has immediately welcomed her," said Walsh. "She has an incredible amount of energy and the perfect personality to coach college gymnastics. I love that she has a lot of connections in the gymnastics community from her many years of working each summer at Flip Fest in Tennessee. I think she will bring a lot to the table over hopefully multiple years of partnership together to keep making Illinois Gymnastics one of the best."

Kocan is a coach and the women's team coordinator at Champaign Gymnastics Academy. She has been coaching gymnastics in some capacity since she was 15 years old. While in college, she coached at Flip Fest Summer Gymnastics Camp in Crossville, TN.  While there, she had the opportunity to learn from collegiate coaches from all over the nation, many former Olympians, and current/former Olympic coaches.

"What I love about the Illinois gymnastics team is the energy they bring to everything they do, said Kocan. "Their culture is all about working as a team so that everyone can experience success together.  They strive for greatness in every detail.  I feel grateful to have the opportunity to join this staff so that I can continue to grow as a gymnastics coach and person."

A native of Midland Michigan, Kocan was a competitive gymnast for 10 years. She has a pair of degrees in athletic training. She received her Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training from Center Michigan University and her Masters in Athletic Training from University of Kentucky.