Devon Kelly Looks to the Future

Photo courtesy: goredbirds.com

NORMAL – Illinois State track & field senior Devon Kelly did not have the senior season he was hoping for on the track.

Only being able to compete six meets during the 2019-20 indoor season due to injury, before the remainder of the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the St. Charles native will be remembered fondly for his contributions on and off the track during his time as a Redbird.

Kelly joined the Redbirds in 2016 following a successful high school career at St. Charles East where he was a state qualifier in the 400-meter dash. The 400 was where Kelly would continue to excel. He would be part of the 4×400 team that earned all-conference honors at both the MVC indoor and outdoor championships in 2019. Kelly considers qualifying for the 400-meter finals at the MVC indoor championships a career highlight.

Kelly attributes the friendships he will have the rest of his life to what made his Redbird career so special. Among those relationships were fellow seniors Kimathi Johnson and Olivia Rossman. Both of whom he had known since the beginning of his collegiate career.

Kelly hopes that he can be remembered for how he was as a teammate in addition to an athlete.

“I hope that I helped others that were younger than me learn how to balance doing something they love while also looking to the future,” said Kelly.

While the NCAA has offered spring athletes an extra season of eligibility, Kelly is currently undecided on whether he will take advantage of that offer or not. A tremendous student, Kelly was named to the 2019 MVC All-Scholar team and hopes to pursue a career as a Paralegal.