MacMurray College tabs Jerry Kelly as new head wrestling coach
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MacMurray College ()
03/10/2003
* Former Division I All-American to Lead Highlanders Jacksonville,IL --MacMurray College has named Jerry Kelly as head wrestling coach. Kelly will take over for Gary Reif,who has managed the Highlander wrestling program on an interim basis this season. Jerry Kelly 's name is synonymous with Illinois wrestling.As a high school wrestler Kelly was a two-time class AA state champion and also earned a third place finish.In 1976 he was the USA Senior Greco-Roman National Champion and was a five time Junior National All-American.In 1978 Kelly was the USA Junior National Freestyle Champion. Following an impressive prep career,Kelly continued his wrestling career at NCAA Division I powerhouse Oklahoma State University.In 1980, he was the national runner-up and won the Most Falls Trophy at the NCAA Division I tournament.He followed that performance with a third place finish in at the national tournament in 1981. Kelly broke into coaching in 1990,serving as assistant coach at Monticello High School until 1999. In 1999, he took over as head wrestling coach at Monticello. During his coaching career,Kelly has been nominated for Illinois Assistant Wrestling Coach of the Year twice,winning the award in 1996.the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame. Kelly is anxious to begin his experience at the college level."I 'm really excited and looking forward to getting the MacMurray wrestling program back to the level it used to be, as one of the top Division III programs in the nation," says the veteran coach. Dr.Bob Gay,Director of Athletics at MacMurray College,echoed Kelly 's sentiments. "I'm excited about the potential Jerry brings to our wrestling program,which in the distant past had a great reputation. Jerry brings the background,experience,and name recognition to boost recruiting and get us back to competing at the national level as we did in the late 60 's and early 70 's," stated Gay. In addition to his duties with the wrestling program,Kelly will also work in the Admissions Office at MacMurray College.