Kelly was a 4’8” freshman at St Mary’s High School when Brenden Mallon encouraged him to go out for track. Mallon had no hint that this recruitment would lead to two team State Championships, four individual titles and two State Record. Nor did his freshman realize his love of running would provide a college education and opportunity to see the world.

His athletic success occurred in many venues, but his fondest memories of sports lie in Medford and the Rogue Valley. What a perfect year 1978 was for Kelly; returning from two years coaching in Saudi Arabia Olympic Track team to the Montreal Olympics; being provided the opportunity to coach the S.O.S.C. track team to the 1978 NAIA District Championship; winning two NAIA National Championships in the steeplechase and cross-country while coaching at SOSC and being selected as 1978 Athlete of the Year.

Kelly had the joy of representing the US in international dual track meets against the Soviet Union, Finland, Sweden, Great Britain, West Germany, and East Germany; fine summers competing on the European circuit; two Olympic Trials finalist; was a member of the US National Track and Field team 1979-1984; ranked as one of the top 15 Steeplechasers in the world in both 1982 and 1983; and received All-American ranking 1978-1984.