Fred Kelly

"King" Kelly took the 1912 Olympic hurdles title after the prerace favorite and reigning AAU champion, John Nicholson, fell at the eighth hurdle. Kelly twice equalled the world record of 15.0 in 1913 before winning his first and only AAU title later in the season. By 1916 the high hurdle record was 14.6 and Kelly equalled it for a third time, although none of his marks ever received official recognition. In 1919, seven years after his Olympic victory he placed second to fellow Southern Cal alumnus Bob Simpson at the AAU championships and then retired. Kelly became one of the pioneers of commercial aviation. In 1925 he joined Western Air Express (later Western Airlines) and when he retired in 1946 he was their chief pilot.

Kelly also competed in the 1912 Olympic Baseball demonstration event.

Personal Best: 110H – 14.6 (1916).