Biography
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2019-20: Bailey makes our Dojo a much "Better Place" by the Work Power, Character and "Leadership by Example" he brings consistently every day. He Motivates and Inspires his Teammates and Coaches with his Example. He completed his RS-Junior campaign with a 22-15 record, and a 5-4 dual record. Finished 6th at LU Open, 3rd at the Jim Koch Open, 6th at the prestigious, Midwest Classic, placed 1st at the Pat "Flash" Flanagan Open, and 5th at the NCAA Regional tournament. Bailey earned the Wrestler of the Week and OOOSSS Award honors seven times. Bailey earned a plethora of awards for this season, including the Dr. Lombardi Saint Award (3x), the Mario Morgan Leadership Award, the RS-Jr. Scholar Award (3.894 GPA), the Outstanding RS-Jr. Award, the Staying Power Award, and the Rebounding Power Award. Bailey was a 20 match winner (22), issued the most majors on the team (7), was a Varsity Letter Award winner for third time, elected as honorable mention to the GLVC All-Conference Team, is a NWCA Scholar All-American winner for the third time, is an NWCA DII All- Academic Team National Champion, earned Geico GLVC Team Academic All-Conference honors for the fourth consecutive time, was selected for the Div. II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award, and is the recipient of the 2019- 20 Brother James Gaffney Distinguished Scholar Award. On and off the mat "BK" is a "Positive Force" for us. He has done the work to have a Big Impact in Division II.
2018-19: Bailey has been a leader by example for us on and off the mat. He has been a two-year starter for us at 184 pounds. He has made our Dojo a “Better Place” with his performance on the mat and in the classroom. He has been a “Positive Force” for us. He had an outstanding performance at the NCAA Super Region IV tournament to qualify for the NCAA Division II National Tournament. He gained valuable experience wrestling at the National Championships. He placed 2nd at the Kaufman/Brand/ Bayly Open, 3rd at the Jim Koch Open, 8th at the Midwest Classic, 1st at the Pat “Flash” Flanagan Open, and 3rd at the NCAA Super Region IV Tournament. He finished 10-4 in dual meet competition. The best is definitely yet to come for him. He received the Most Improved Award, the Outstanding Redshirt Sophomore Award, the Rebounding Power Award, his second Varsity Letter Award, the 25-Match Winner Award with 27 wins during the season, the Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Warrior Award, and the Dr. Lombardi Saint Award for the second time. He earned the NCAA National Qualifier Award. Bailey was selected to the GLVC All-Conference 1st Team by the GLVC coaches. He is a Dean’s List student carrying a 3.862 cumulative GPA in Secondary Education and Mathematics. He was selected as NWCA Scholar All-American for the second year in a row. He had a big part in helping the team win their second NWCA Division II Academic National Championship. Bailey earned the Wrestler of the Week and OOOSSS Award nine times during the season. Bailey motivates and inspires his teammates and coaches.
2017-18: Bailey had an impact in Division II Wrestling this season but he will have a bigger impact next season. His
Work Power, Commitment and Dedication is impressive and a great example for the rest of the Team. He leads by
example. He wrestled 40 matches in his redshirt campaign at 184 pounds winning 28 bouts. He recorded a 10-3 dual record for the Saints. Bailey is a standout in the classroom while pursuing a degree in math and education. Bailey earns his 1st Varsity Letter Award while also picking up the Most Improved and Outstanding Redshirt Freshman Awards. He is a 20 Match Winner (28). Bailey was selected to the NWCA All-Academic Team and earned the Dr. Lombardi Saint Award for his work in the classroom. He is also a Academic Dean’s List Student. The honors for Bailey continue as the coaching staff awarded him the Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Award, GRIT Award and Iron Man Award. Bailey was recognized as the Wrestler of the Week six times and the OOOSSS Award winner four times this season.
2016-17: Bailey is one of the Family Tradition Recruits. His father, Pat, wrestled for Coach Denney and was an All-American. Wrestling unattached Kelly went 16-6, had 5 pins, 1 technical fall and 2 major decisions. He started the season by winning the Kaufman/Brand Open Amateur Division going 4-0 and was named Outstanding Wrestler (165-HWT). He went 2-2 at both, Joe Parisi and Wisconsin Open and placed third at the Doane Open winning four matches and losing one. He battled to a third place finish at the Greyhound Open in Indianapolis (4-1 record). Bailey was Wrestler of the Week three times, one time OOOSSS Award winner and named one of the team’s Outstanding Redshirts. Bailey will compete for a starting spot in 2017-18 and looks to make a big impact for the Saints next season.
Bailey Kelly is the son of Pat and Lisa Kelly. Bailey wrestled for his father at Topeka Seaman High School. His father Pat Kelly also wrestled for Coach Denney.
HONORS & AWARDS
Career Record: 77-40
2020 Redshirt Junior Scholar Award (3.894)
2020 Outstanding Redshirt Junior
2020 Most Major Decisions (7)
2020 20 Match Bronze Winner (22)
2020 3X NWCA Scholar All-American
2020 NWCA DII All Academic Team National Champion
2020 GLVC All-Conference (honorable mention)
2020 3X Varsity Letter Award
2020 Rebounding Power Award
2020 3X Dr. Lombardi Saint Award
202 Mario Morgan Leadership Award
2020 GLVC Brother James Gaffney Distinguished Scholar
2020 GLVC All-Academic (4x)
2020 Div II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award
2019 WOW & OOOSSS Award (9)
2019 WOW & OOOSSS Award (9)
2019 Most Improved
2019 Outstanding Redshirt Sophomore
2019 25 Match Winner (27)
2019 NWCA Scholar All-American (2x)
2019 GLVC All-Conference (First Team)
2019 NCAA DII National Qualifier
2019 Varsity Letter Award (2x)
2019 Rebounding Power Award
2019 Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Warrior Award
2019 Dr. Lombardi Saint Award (2x)
2019 NWCA DII All-Academic National Team Champion
2018 Most Improved
2018 Outstanding Redshirt Freshman
2018 20 Match Winner (28)
2018 NWCA All-Academic
2018 Varsity Letter Award
2018 Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Award
2018 Dr. Lombardi Saint Award
2018 GRIT Award
2018 Iron Man Award
2018 Wrestler of the Week (6x)
2018 OOOSSS Award (4x)
2017 Wrestler of the Week (3x)
2017 OOOSSS Award
2017 Kaufman/Brand Outstanding Wrestler
2017 Outstanding Redshirt
HIGH SCHOOL
Bailey is a 2016 Kansas 5A State Champion at 195 lbs and 4X State Medalist (5th, 6th, 3rd, 1st). Bailey accumulated 116 career wins, 74 of which were falls (was unable to wrestle for the first 3/4 of the 2016 season because of ACL surgery). Bailey was also a Class 5A Senior Wrestler of the Year, ranked #1 in the final All-Class Rankings and USA Folkstyle Nationals All-American (5th).
High School accomplishments:
2016 Kansas 5A State Champion at 195 lbs
4X State Medalist (5th, 6th, 3rd, 1st)
116 career wins, 74 Falls (was unable to wrestle for the first 3/4 of the 2016 season because of ACL surgery)
Class 5A Senior Wrestler of the Year
Ranked #1 in the final All-Class Rankings
USA Folkstyle Nationals All-American (5th)
High School career record: 116 –42
Freshman: 33 –17
Sophomore: 27 –17
Junior: 38 – 7
Senior: 18 – 1
ABOUT BAILEY
Birthday: 2/26/98
Nickname: BK The Irish Assassin
Parents: Pat and Lisa Kelly
Siblings: Ryan and Ella Kelly
HS coach’s name(s): Pat Kelly
Greatest moment in wrestling: Signing to Maryville and hugging my dad after the State Finals.
People who have had the greatest influence in your life: Everyone in my family, everyone on our team
Favorite athlete: Tyler Stegall
Favorite entertainer: Colter Wall
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite book: Thomas’ Calculus, the Bible
Favorite wrestling move: Wrist Ride
Favorite quote: “We are twice armed when we fight with faith.” - Plato
Craziest ambition: To know more about wrestling than my dad
If I could meet one person: Jesus Christ
I came to Maryville because: Coach Denney
Best sports advice ever received: Have fun with it
Treasured possessions: My guns and wrestling shoes, and rosary
Something people don’t know about me: I am the least intelligent Kelly kid
10 years from now: I will be running the world
