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John Kelbly

John Kelbly

  • Weight:
    285
  • Year:
    Redshirt Junior
  • Hometown:
    Smithville, Ohio
  • High School:
    Smithville

2019-20 – REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE SEASON
Placed sixth at debut MAC Championships, two spots higher than his seed (3/8) … Was the team’s primary starter at heavyweight despite battling an injury in second half of season … Went 15-15 on the season, including posting a mark of 5-4 in dual action … Finished second on the team with six pins … Posted a 4-3 mark in MAC duals … Pinned Kent State foe and topped Missouri opponent, 6-1, to help place at MAC tournament … Beat two opponents from Michigan State and one from Pittsburgh to place at Cleveland State Open (12/14) … With CSU trailing by one team point, won final bout of dual vs. Buffalo to clinch team victory (12/6) … His 2-0 win vs. Bulls helped Vikings win first-ever MAC dual … Also pinned Bloomsburg foe in final bout to ensure team victory (2/14) … Beat Kent State opponent that he had lost to earlier in season in dual bout to spark CSU come-from-behind victory (2/1).

2018-19 – SOPHOMORE SEASON
Went 11-8 while competing in five events as an unattached collegian … Notched five bonus-point wins on season, including three pins … Placed third at the Findlay Open (11/17) and fourth at the Ohio Intercollegiate Open (11/11) … Also placed at the Storm Open … Pinned a Big XII foe at Clarion Open (11/3) … Knocked off an ACC opponent at Cleveland State Open (12/15).

2017-18 – FRESHMAN SEASON
Started every dual and competed in EWL Tournament at 197 pounds … Won 10 matches on the season … Won the EMU Open (Freshman/Sophomore Division), beating an opponent from Michigan in the championship bout by major decision … Had previously defeated two other athletes by fall earlier in the event … Won his first two dual matches over Northern Illinois and Indiana, via fall and major decision, in a quad dual … His first collegiate win came in his first event—the Clarion Open—against a Big XII opponent … Defeated a Big Ten opponent in Cleveland State Open in sudden victory … Won his first EWL dual at Bloomsburg.

Pre-CSU
Placed at the 2017 Ohio state tournament at 195 pounds to finish his season with a 37-5 record … Helped the Smithies to a team sectional title in 2017 … Went 55-4 in his junior season, setting the single-season school record for wins, while placing at 195 pounds in state tournament … Also set school record with 41 pins in his junior season … Named a National High School Coaches Association Junior All-American after finishing third in 2016 … Racked up 42 wins in his sophomore season and placed at 182 pounds in state tournament … Was President of the National Honor Society.