The new era for the Perham Yellowjacket gymnastics will begin with the annual Jackie Mann Invitational at the Hive under a new head coach.

Kayla Keil has been named the new Yellowjacket Head Coach replacing Jenna Kupferschmid, who stepped down after the 2024-25 season.

Keil was her longtime assistant coach and was a key member of the gymnastics team during her time as Yellowjacket student.

“It’s kind of surreal. It’s one of those full-circle moments,” Keil said. “I competed for that team and now coaching. It’s exciting and surreal.”

Perham Activities Director Erin Anderson said that Keil’s connections to the program and her ability to connect with the students and supporters made her the perfect fit to replace Kupferschmid.

“We’re really excited to welcome Kayla as the new head coach of Jacket Gymnastics. Kayla’s blend of coaching experience, her ability to build strong relationships with student-athletes, and her lifelong connection to the Yellowjacket program—dating back to her own years as a competitor—make her the perfect leader for the next chapter of our gymnastics tradition. I also want to thank former head coach Jenna Kupferschmid for her outstanding leadership and the foundation she helped build. We’re grateful for her dedication, and we’re confident Kayla will carry that forward with pride and passion.”

The Yellowjackets have been gearing up for the new season, and Keil believes the transition from Kupferschmid to her will be aided by the experience she gained as an assistant within the program before being named head coach.

“Jenna is a great coach, and she was great at motivating and pushing the girls all at the same time,” Keil said. “I learned that aspect from her, and she did a great job of showing the girls and helping them understand their routine. You could see that really helped them grow their confidence and I want to really make sure I can continue that with the new girls coming up or the girls getting new routines. I want them to understand why their routines are put together the way they are, so they feel more confident when they go out there.”

Keil said her style is more of a calming style, and motivating at the same time.

“I really like that I can build connections with the girls. A lot of them I have seen in the gym for years and years,” Keil said. “I think building that connection and trust with them is what I like, and that we can start and grow from there.”

Keil, like many gymnastic coaches, the sport is just in her blood and has always been a part of her life.

“Coaching has always been a part of my life. It has always been in the back of my mind that may be I would be the head coach, but I was so happy just coaching alongside Jenna and being her assistant,” Keil said. “We worked so well together and we bounced off of each other. I’m really excited to be the head coach, too.”

Keil has assembled a strong staff for her first year. She will be joined by former state champion, Jada Olsen. Along with Olsen, longtime assistant coach Mike Peterson will stay on the Yellowjacket coaching staff.

Keil is very appreciative of the support the gymnastics program has received from the Perham community. She said gymnastics is a huge part of the community, and it always has been.

“The community is great here. Everyone is so supportive, and it’s great to see everyone that comes out and supports the team, even when they don’t have a gymnast on the team or know someone on the team,” Keil said. “You always see the support and feel the support because of the great community that we are in.”

The first competition for the Yellowjackets and the new era will begin on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Hive with the annual Jackie Mann Invitational.