By Tiffany L. Rehbein
Livingston native Jeremy Kelsey has signed on with the Montana State-Northern Lights, announced wrestling coach David Ray.
Kelsey, who graduated from Park County High School in 1998, becomes the newest addition to the NAIA national wrestling champions roster.
At 6-2 and 275 pounds, Kelsey will fill a much needed slot as back-up at heavyweight and will be a strong workout partner for current All-American heavyweight Damion Martindale.
Hes strong and we need a workout partner for Damion and this guy fills the shoes, Ray said. And he may be the new heavyweight to step up after Damion graduates.
Kelsey is a two-time state placer, earning a fourth place finish in 1997-98 and second in 1996-97.
As a freshman he held a 15-16 record, then quickly improved to 10-2 his sophomore season. He excelled his junior and senior years with 24-2 and 26-5 seasons, respectively. He was named the wrestler of the year for his team for the 1997-98 season.
Competing at the AAU and USAW levels, he was a five-time Greco and freestyle USAW champion, and was the AAU state champion in 1997 and 1998.
Sitting out a season, Kelsey will need to work hard to get back into wrestling shape, Ray said. He has the size and strength, he just needs to discipline himself.
Kelseys level of desire will measure his success, Ray added.
The son of Craig and Christine Kelsey, he will major in diesel technology at Northern.
