“There was no one that was going to stop him from taking home a state championship,” said Nickerson.

Nickerson stated the University of Iowa was very clear in its intention to have Kelly on its squad. The Hawkeyes wanted him to become a decathlete, something Nickerson said he wouldn’t put past Kelly doing down south with the Razorbacks.

Kelly also starred for Zach Wigle’s Bulldog football squad this past fall at defensive back.

Kelly is the son of Denise and Brian Kelly of Ottumwa.