Idaho
Tampa Bay area former coach, friend honor memory after death of University of Idaho student
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — It’s been two months for the reason that murders of 4 College of Idaho college students. Whereas the nation intently follows what performs out in courtroom, individuals who knew the victims proceed to honor their recollections.
“Xana was simply the spark that ignited our workforce,” stated Todd McLean.
Todd McLean
McLean is among the house owners of Apollo Seashore Gymnastics Academy. He was additionally Xana Kernodle’s former gymnastics coach after they had a fitness center again in Idaho.
Kernodle was one of many 4 College of Idaho college students discovered useless in November.
Todd McLean
“It felt like getting kicked within the abdomen, simply having an vacancy inside,” stated McLean.
McLean was the proficient gymnast’s coach for about six years.
Todd McLean
“Simply if you happen to spent 5 minutes along with her, you’d’ve fallen in love along with her,” stated McLean. “She simply beloved everyone. She was so witty, so humorous. She would’ve drawn you in.”
“She was simply the funniest particular person,” stated Sydney Gribnitz, McLean’s daughter. “In the event you had been along with her, you had been laughing the entire time, and that’s simply the type of particular person she was.”
Todd McLean
Gribnitz was Kernodle’s childhood finest buddy.
“I used to be right here really working, and we came upon it was her,” stated Gribnitz. “After which I coached. I used to be a scorching mess all night time, watching the woman’s trigger; it’s type of like watching me and Xana’s relationship, the relationships they’ve with one another.”
Todd McLean
McLean stated their workforce this yr determined to dedicate their upcoming season in her honor.
They’re additionally going to fundraise cash to go towards the Xana Kernodle Scholarship Endowment. The workforce is on the lookout for individuals to pledge cash to any gymnast who scores a 9.0 or higher this yr, identical to Kernodle all the time did.
Todd McLean
The workforce plans to award the first-ever Xana Kernodle Inspiration Award to probably the most inspirational athlete of this season.
“She was only a gentle,” stated Gribnitz. “If she walked right into a room, she lit it up.”