University of Georgia Athletics
Welbourn Named Georgia Gymnastics Interim Assistant Coach
November 22, 2022 | Gymnastics
ATHENS, Ga. — Sam Welbourn, who has experienced outstanding success with Georgia Elite Gymnastics, has been named interim assistant coach for the Georgia gymnastics program throughout the 2023 season, head coach Courtney Kupets Carter announced Monday.
"We are thrilled to welcome Sam to our staff," Kupets Carter said. "He has great experience in developing some of the best gymnasts in the country, who have gone on to be successful college athletes. We are committed to ensuring a holistic environment for our gymnasts. Sam believes in that mission and will continue to enhance our goals of competing for championship success."
A former gymnast himself, Welbourn has been the Level 10 bar and vault coach at Georgia Elite Gymnastics for the past three years. This past year, Georgia Elite had the second-highest amount of gymnasts attend nationals (15), had a pair of national all-around champions, two national bars champions and the highest number of top-10 finishes of anyone in the country.
In addition, Welbourn oversaw the Elite program that had a gymnast qualify for the Hopes Championship in Salt Lake City, while the team also won Region 8 Club of the Year.
Prior to his time with Georgia Elite, Welbourn served as head coach at Georgia Gymnastics Academy, where he was the bar and vault technician for team level kids age 6-10. He helped four gymnasts become collegiate athletes during his time there.
Welbourn started his career by coaching boys gymnastics in the United Kingdom and competed as a gymnast for the Great Britain National Team. He also performed with Cirque Du Soleil and continued coaching during his time in Las Vegas.
Welbourn is replacing Jason Vonk, who is pursuing other opportunities after four seasons with the program.
"We want to wish Jason all the best," Kupets Carter said. "He has been a big part of our team over the last four years, and I know he will have success moving forward."
Georgia gymnastics opens the season with its First Look on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.
"We are thrilled to welcome Sam to our staff," Kupets Carter said. "He has great experience in developing some of the best gymnasts in the country, who have gone on to be successful college athletes. We are committed to ensuring a holistic environment for our gymnasts. Sam believes in that mission and will continue to enhance our goals of competing for championship success."
A former gymnast himself, Welbourn has been the Level 10 bar and vault coach at Georgia Elite Gymnastics for the past three years. This past year, Georgia Elite had the second-highest amount of gymnasts attend nationals (15), had a pair of national all-around champions, two national bars champions and the highest number of top-10 finishes of anyone in the country.
In addition, Welbourn oversaw the Elite program that had a gymnast qualify for the Hopes Championship in Salt Lake City, while the team also won Region 8 Club of the Year.
Prior to his time with Georgia Elite, Welbourn served as head coach at Georgia Gymnastics Academy, where he was the bar and vault technician for team level kids age 6-10. He helped four gymnasts become collegiate athletes during his time there.
Welbourn started his career by coaching boys gymnastics in the United Kingdom and competed as a gymnast for the Great Britain National Team. He also performed with Cirque Du Soleil and continued coaching during his time in Las Vegas.
Welbourn is replacing Jason Vonk, who is pursuing other opportunities after four seasons with the program.
"We want to wish Jason all the best," Kupets Carter said. "He has been a big part of our team over the last four years, and I know he will have success moving forward."
Georgia gymnastics opens the season with its First Look on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.
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