Kaitlyn Puplava '24 Recruiting Profile

My name is Kaitlyn Puplava, I am 16 years old and a junior at Portage High School. I have grown up in Portage, attended the Portage Schools my entire academic life and have a 3.9 GPA. I am currently in the Vocational Health Science program and currently earning 9 college credit hours to help me pursue my college career.

I have been in club gymnastics since I was 2 years old. I started competing at age 6, a level 3 gymnast.  I am currently a Level 10 gymnast at GTC in Valparaiso, Indiana. I am a very independent,strong, determined and dedicated teammate/student athlete.  I am at the gym over 20 hours per week and travel to different states to compete against gymnasts my age.  My favorite events are the Uneven Bars and Vault.  It has been my dream since I was very little to be a college gymnast.

Family is very important to me. My mom, my brother and myself are very close. When my brother was 8 and I was only 4 years old, my dad was tragically killed in a work accident, he was an Ironworker in Chicago.  We support each other 100% daily, travel together as much as we can to make memories, attend each other's sporting events if our schedules allow, and say I love you every night. My brother is currently away at school and we speak everyday after practice.  I don't remember much of my dad but my mom says that I am just like him with my “no fear” in my sport, my love and “dedication” to my teammates.

Friendships are also very important to me. My two best friends have been my best friends since I was 6 years old.  They are my sisters!  They both attend Portage Schools, and both love gymnastics.  We don't go a day without talking or checking on each other.  I also have many other friends from all over the country.  Since I compete at a club level, I have met many girls at my home gym or fellow gymnasts I compete against.