Teen to represent USA in Taekwondo during Youth Olympics

(SEYMOUR, Ind.) – A local teenager will be representing the United States during the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal this fall.

17-year-old Karlee Vogel is from the Hayden area of Jennings County and her parents own Vogel's Knock Out Martial Arts in Seymour.

Vogel has qualified for the USA Taekwondo team and is just the fifth female to ever qualify for the Youth Olympics in this sport. 

She will also be the only athlete representing the USA in the 55kg division of Taekwondo during the Youth Olympics.

Karlee earned her spot after defeating competitors at the USA Taekwondo Nationals in Charlotte in July. She also won the AAU Nationals in Florida this summer.

Vogel was also part of the 2025-2026 AAU National Team that competed in Croatia and Canada. She earned a Silver medal at the Presidents Cup in Ecuador earlier this summer too.

Karlee has been practicing Taekwondo since she was 3-years-old and is currently a 4th Degree Black Belt. 

She trains during the week at her family’s martial arts studio and then travels to Michigan to train with a Peak Performance coach.

“She not only has to prepare for the games physically but is building new relationships with Team USA coaching staff. Preparing is demanding physically along with mentally by staying coachable and focused,” her mom, Kristie, said. 

Karlee also teaches Taekwondo along with brother, Master Payton Vogel, at the family business.

The 2026 Youth Olympic Games will be in Dakar, Senegal from October 31 to November 13. It's the first time the Youth Olympics will take place in Africa.