LJ wrestling: Head coach, 37, to wrestle in tourney

LJHS head coach Kellen Delaney (far right),

standing with four of his five All-leaguers,

all less than half his age of 37 years.

JV coach Kraig Feldman is seen at far left.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Do you want to know something unbelievable?

It is that Kellen Delaney, long one of La Jolla High's wrestling coaches, now their head coach, is going to compete in Las Vegas in a legitimate wrestling tournament put on by the U.S. Open in April.

The "young man" is 37 years of age.

All of his wrestlers are less than half his age--18 or under.

"I'm going to continue in Ryan Lennard's strength conditioning program (which began the last week of February), and lead the offseason Viking wrestling program beginning (Feb. 28)," said Delaney at the Sun., Feb. 26 team banquet.

He was quick to explain that Lennard, who was trainer two years ago for the China National Team, will be running the strength and conditioning program without his help. He will be one of the recipients of the workouts, in preparation for his April tourney.

Kellen Delaney (black shirt, walking toward camera)

at the 2011 City Conference Tournament

on Feb. 12, 2011. To his right is Timmy

Cundiff, one of the Vikings' all-leaguers

that year.

And Delaney's wife, Brenda, didn't even raise a fuss.

On the other hand, Lennard, who served as Viking head wrestling coach in the past and was a former high school wrestler, clarified, "I'm done with my competing days" in the sport.

Brenda Delaney told a reporter, "(Kellen's) wrestling shoes just arrived" at home, size 11 1/2.

The Las Vegas tournament will be held at the South Point Hotel Casino. Lennard said he will attend to watch his colleague.

Delaney grew up in Kansas City, Missouri--a Chiefs football fan--and attended Park Hill High School. (He was sporting a Chiefs banner in his converted garage/game room in the backyard during the team banquet.) He competed for the Park Hill Trojans at 140 pounds. In 2003, Kellen's senior year, Park Hill was state champ for the first time since 1981.

A long-haired Kellen Delaney (right, with

man bun) co-coaching the La Jolla wrestling

team at the Mira Mesa Invitational

Dec. 10, 2016. He would have been

about 30 years of age then.