Taking leaps of faith is something that every gymnast can relate to. After all, every move they make in the air or on the mat is a leap of faith. However, for Skylar Killough-Wilhelm, things were a little too stretched. While she was doing just fine at the University of Washington, Killough-Wilhelm decided to enter the transfer portal all of a sudden! Last year in April, Killough-Wilhelm was her University’s best bet in the NCAA semis. And surely enough, she scored 9.925 on bars. Thus, with such a good record, why did she want to switch things up? Well, the answer is simple. 

Jen Llewellyn, the former coach of UW was hired by Iowa last season. And that was enough reason for Killough-Wilhelm to switch things. As she ended up in Kentucky, the NCAA star felt significant jitters running through her stomach. In a recent appearance on the ‘All Things Gymnastics’ podcast, Killough-Wilhelm opened up everything about her controversial decision to switch teams in her senior year. 

The NCAA gymnast stated that initially, there were no plans to change her University. However, the moment that she learnt about her head coach not being there, Killough-Wilhelm decided to take her leap of faith. Scouring through her options, a lot of channels did open up. But since this was too abrupt, Killough-Wilhelm had her mind clouded with uncertainty. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do… The problem was this was very last minute and unexpected, so I kind of really had to go with my gut and a lot of it was like I had to follow my faith and just like put it into the universe’s hands and God just to lead me,” said the NCAA star. 

Thankfully, she was lucky enough to end up with Kentucky. Coming into the program, Killough-Wilhelm felt at home and enjoyed her time significantly. “I felt the most like at home at Kentucky. For me, I would say a lot of it has to do with just enjoying myself. This is kind of like a victory lap for me,” said the fifth-year gymnast. Praising her current program further, Killough-Wilhelm also went to extend her gratitude, stating this was an opportunity that not many gymnasts usually get in their senior years. 

Surely, the gymnastic sensation is enjoying herself with Kentucky. Remember the Kentucky women’s gymnastics’ fantastic win over Auburn University on 31st January this year? 

Skylar Killough-Wilhelm Shines in Kentucky’s Dominant Win Over Auburn

Skylar Killough-Wilhelm is impeccable! and she delivered a standout performance in No. 7 Kentucky’s 197.050-196.600 win over No. 11 Auburn in January 2025. Competing in the All-Around, Killough-Wilhelm secured the individual title with a strong 39.400, her second straight All-Around victory. Alongside these, she also notched a season-best 9.950 on the uneven bars.

Despite a slower start on vault with a 9.750, Skylar quickly found her rhythm. Delivering a score of 9.825 or higher in the remaining events she did not miss the chance to prove her worth. Her 9.950 on bars edged out Auburn’s Katelyn Jong by just .050, highlighting her precision and execution. Moreover, it’s not that the Iowa native is just good at uneven bars!

Kentucky’s dominance extended across all apparatus, with Killough-Wilhelm contributing a solid 9.875 on beam and helping the Wildcats secure top scores on vault, bars, and floor. Her consistency and leadership have been key for Kentucky, as head coach Tim Garrison praised her impact. “Her artistry is second to none,” Garrison said, emphasizing how quickly the fifth-year gymnast has adjusted to her new team.

With Killough-Wilhelm delivering clutch performances and elevating the team’s overall execution, the Wildcats look poised for a deep postseason run.