Class of 1998

Jerry Kelly

Oak Lawn Richards

Jerry Kelly began his wrestling career at Oak Lawn's Richards High School, where he wrestled for Hall of Famer Tom Heniff.  His record was 118-10-2. He placed 3rd and won two State Championships. He was named an All American in 1978 and was Named to the USA 1st Team Dream Team.  Jerry was a 4 time Palatine Champion; 4 time Regional Champion, twice Sectional and a Conference Champion.  He placed 3 other times in the Conference.  He was a participant in the USA-Pennsylvania Classic and was named the IWCOA 1978 Most Outstanding Wrestler. He was the first 4 time Illinois Junior National Greco-Roman place winner, he was 3rd, 4th, 2nd and 4th.  He won the Junior Free Style Championship in 1978 making him a 5 time Junior National All American.  Jerry was also on the National Exchange Team in 1978 to Pennsylvania and Maryland. He was the USWF Senior Greco Champion in 1976 and placed 6th in the Olympic Greco-Roman Trials in 1976.

His collegiate wrestling career was at Oklahoma State University where he placed twice at 2nd place in the Big 8.  He placed 2nd and 3rd in the NCAA's Division I. He won the trophy for the most falls in the 1980 meet.  He also placed in the Omaha Open and the Great Plains meets and was champion at the Chattanooga Open.  At Oklahoma State he was co-captain of the team and won a trophy for the most takedowns in a year.

Due to an injury Jerry left Oklahoma State and became an assistant coach at Iowa State University and then the Iowa State Wrestling Club. He returned to Illinois where he has been an assistant coach at Monticello for 8 years.  He was nominated for Assistant Coach of the Year in 1992 and 1996, winning this award from the IWCOA in 1996.

Jerry was a state runner-up in the IKWF and has been named a Distinguished Alumnus from the IKWF and Grand Marshall in 1988.

In continuing his desire to help young people he has assisted at the Illinois Junior National Training Camp for the past 8 years.