One on One: Bronson Kelly ‘11 - midfield - Avon Old Farms - Boys Lacrosse
Posted: May 21 2011
Bronson Kelly '11 is one of the top midfielders in the country for Avon Old Farms (CT). Avon Old Farms is currently 12-7 on the season with one game remaining on Wednesday at home against rival Loomis Chaffee.
In a recent 10-9 overtime win over Trinity-Pawling Kelly scored 5 goals, including the game tying goal in the final minute of the fourth quarter, helping Avon pull out the win.
We caught up with the Avon Old Farms star before Avon's one goal loss to Salisbury School this past weekend. The John's Hopkins bound midfielder reflected on his time at Avon Old Farm's as well as his future as a Blue Jay.
Give us a little history of your lacrosse upbringing?
BK: I began playing lacrosse in third grade. I grew up playing on the Fairfield Wakeman travel team and also for the Fairfield Country Day School team. In Ninth grade I made the decision to attend boarding school, for both the academic challenge as well as the athletic competition. As it turned out, I became the first freshman to make the Avon Old Farms’ varsity lacrosse team in the last 20 years. My break out moment came in the Deerfield game when I scored the game-winning goal to end their two-year winning streak.
Talk a little about summer ball with the Bulldogs, camps, All-Star games and team events and how these experiences have helped with the development of your game?
Playing for the Bulldogs has been some of the best times of my life so far. Not only did it take my game to the next level, but I also had a great time doing it. I couldn’t have asked for better coaches and teammates. Camps like Nike Blue Chip and the All-Star games I have played in have definitely all made me a better player.
Talk a little about the recruiting process. How did you end up choosing John's Hopkins and when did you decide that JHU was the place for you?
BK: The recruiting process was a lot of fun for me. I received quite a few letters and I was able to narrow my list down to Hopkins, Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland and Duke. When I first knew Hopkins was the place for me I was actually on my visit to Maryland. I had finished the visit/ tour around noon on a Sunday afternoon and my dad thought instead of heading back to Connecticut, we should call Coach Petro (Pietramala) and see if he had time for us. That is exactly what we did and within 30 minutes we were on the JHU campus. We spent the next three hours taking a tour of the school and talking with Coach Petro. After I left his office, I knew, I had that gut feeling that JHU was the place for me.
Can you talk about going to play for a lax legend like Coach Pietramala and your interactions with him? (pictured below)?
BK: I am very grateful that I have been given the opportunity to play for Coach Pietramala. It really doesn’t get much better than that. I have had several interactions with Coach Petro in the last two years. He has attended many of my games and always stays in touch through email and phone calls. It is a dream come true to be a Blue Jay.
credit - Mark Goldman / Icon SMI
Can you talk about the major influences in your life that have shaped you on and off the lacrosse field?
BK: I could not and would not be where I am without the support and encouragement of my family. The three coaches that have had an impact on my life are Dick McGrath, my middle school hockey and lacrosse coach, my summer coach, Frank Derubeis, and last but not least, Skip Flanagan, my Avon coach. He has truly made me a better person on and off the field.
Talk a little more about your Avon Old Farms coaches and teammates. What are some of the highlights of your experience at Avon?
BK: I had a great experience playing for Avon these last four years. I would not change a thing. I believe my teammates and coaches are the best around. We win and we have a great time doing it. To be honest, there are so many highlights I would love to talk about, but if I had to pick just one, it would be winning the Founders League Championship.
What are your biggest strengths as a player and what is something that you need to continue to work on to become a better player at the next level?
BK: I would say my strengths are my quickness, vision and dodging. I have to continue to work on every part of my game because you can always get better.
Talk about the work you put in during the off-season and during the season to become a better player?
BK: In the off season I spend a great deal of time shooting on Jack Runkel, the goalie for Loyola. I also try to get to the gym to lift as much as possible. During the season I only lift once a week to keep up my strength.
Who is the best long stick that you have to go up against this season playing for Avon Old Farms?
BK: I can’t pick out the best pole I have gone up against this year. However, in the last two years, I believe the best pole that guarded me was John Rose. He went to Deerfield and is now playing for Harvard.
What player do you look up to and admire in the game today (pro or college)?
BK: A player that I look up to is Chazz Woodson. He brings so much energy and talent to the game, and he is a lot of fun to watch.
Do you play other sports and who are your favorite teams?
BK: Growing up I played many sports: football, soccer, hockey and basketball. My favorite teams are the New York Jets, the Knicks, the Rangers and the Mets. My favorite college team is the UConn Huskies.
What do you like to do in your time away from lacrosse?
BK: During the summer I like to spend as much time as possible on my boat or jetski. wakeboarding, tubing or just hanging out. I love being on the water.
