Metis Kelly on a high with 'double win'

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It was Friday, March 3. As athletes and coaches stood around excitedly speculating just who from Alberta might win the prestigious Quest for Excellence Unisys award, one of those in the crowd chatting with friends happened to be a 15-year-old Metis, Cody Kelly.

"Me and a friend were talking about others who might get it," explained Kelly. When the announcement finally drifted over the air, it came as a shock to the Drayton Valley lad. "Big time!" exclaimed the surprised and jubilant Kelly, who was the chosen one.

The honor placed Kelly in the distinguished company of Amanda Fortier, the

16-year-old cross country skiing sensation who captured three golds and silver, not to mention the hearts of Albertans.

Unisys is an award which recognizes athletes, coaches or managers who display qualities of performance, leadership, co-operation and fair play in the true spirit of the Canada Games. It was introduced in 1991 in co-operation with the Canada Games Council.

Earlier that same evening, Kelly, who fought in the 71 kg division, convincingly fought his way to Alberta's only gold boxing medal with his 14-7 defeat over Saskatchewan's David Churn. Kelly's victory rounded out Alberta's total gold take to 30, and overall upped the total medals to 81.

The entire community of Drayton Valley, approximately 100 km southwest of Edmonton, is proud of their boy who, in the very day of this writing, is being formally recognized by the town mayor. According to Lawrence Duperron, Kelly's coach for the past six years, "the mayor can't get over the Unisys trophy he (Kelly) won.!"

Duperron, who works with the Derrick Boxing Club, bubbled with delight over his start pugilist who he thinks "is capable of going to the Olympics."

In the fight game, there are certain tools one acquires and puts into play to be a winner. Obviously, Kelly has put them to good use.

"He's a good thinker in the he ring, very patient, doesn't lose his temper. He'll do everything you ask him," Duperron. explained.

As for Kelly, he'd like nothing more more than to win a medal at this summer's nationals, especially since this is the last year he is eligible to compete at the Jr. C. Level, After that? The Olympics, perhaps.

"If I reach that...great!" exclaimed Kelly. Beyond that, he's not sure of anything. Being a pro just isn't in the cards at this point where he simply wants to get through school (he's in Grade 11.) Heck he's not even sure of what career he'll pursue, although he enjoys tasks that are physically demanding.

Young Kelly took up the sport nine years ago when his buddy, Dallas Stewart, asked him over to the local gym. Although he was a bit active in baseball, he gave it a shot and found it "fun." He went once a week until he got into shape, then progressed to twice, then three times a week. He was hooked.

For the first few years he trained under Doug Bolianatz, then Duperron. He began to take his sport more seriously after his first real bout. After that one, "I knew I'd keep going," he confessed. And he has.

Thirty fights later, he admits to liking "the discipline, the travel and keeping fit." He's fought in Los Angeles and Spokane, Washington, all over. But there's nothing like Grande Prairie.

"It was the best because I had the best crowd ever," he explained. And, when he climbed into the ring with Churn, it was with some degree of confidence - an essential in boxing. While Kelly admits that Churn "could take punches well," he felt that the fight was his. That was confirmed at the end of the second round when Duperron said he figured he was a comfortable seven of nine points up on Churn.

"I wasn't worried at all. I had him figured out," said Kelly. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

When asked about what he felt were his personal strengths, Kelly remarks, "being short, stocky, knowing how to fight and keeping in good shape." He enjoys calisthenics and jogging as forms of work-outs. In 1994, he won the provincial championship, paced second in the Western Canadian, and fifth at the National Championships. He's a former Regina and B.C. Golden Gloves winner.

For pastimes, he likes to hunt, ride horseback in the Rockies, and boogie about on quads and motor bikes. The 5'8" son of Gordon and Joan has three sisters and a loving family, who support him all the way. So, not only is he a double winner, he's a triple - even quadruple - winner, what with the admiration and respect he's gained from his community.