I am very excited to speak this weekend.
2023 PSAC Men's Swimming Coach of the Year
2023 Men's Swimmer of the Year (David Bocci-from Clarion)
Speaking at the 2023 CSCAA Swimming Convention in Orlando in May.
Finished 14th season at Clarion.
Bio
Brehan (Heebner) Kelley, a former 12-time NCAA D-II All-American at Clarion who specialized in the butterfly and IM events from 2003-2006, was named the head coach of the Golden Eagle men's and women's swimming & diving teams in March 2018 after serving as Interim Head Coach since December 2016. She previously served as an assistant coach for seven years. She is now entering her seventh season as head coach in 2022-23.
Kelley has kept the teams together through numerous challenges in her tenure, including a period of time where the team practiced and competed in outside venues during the renovation of Tippin Natatorium. From 2017-19 she coaxed strong performances from her student-athletes despite these hurdles, with the women's squad placing fourth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in 2018 and 2019. The men's team also placed fourth at the conference meet in 2018, and fifth in 2019.
In 2022-23, Kelley coached her second PSAC Men's Freshman of the Year, with first-year athlete David Bocci earning the honors after a stellar performance at the conference championship meet. Connor Cary earned alternate status for the 2022 NCAA Championships meet, and the men's swimming & diving team broke a number of school records over the course of the season. On the women's side, the Golden Eagles placed fourth at the conference championships, representing a jump from the previous year.
In 2020, men's swimmer Connor Cary earned PSAC Freshman of the Year honors, and in 2021 was named the conference's Men's Swimmer of the Meet at the PSAC Championships after racking up three titles. On the women's side, Ava Arnold claimed the 2021 conference title in the 100 Backstroke, making her the first women's individual champion for Clarion since Summer Dacheux in 2018.
Kelley was in her seventh season as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Clarion in 2016 before accepting the head job. She has been integral in the success of the swimming programs in her time as an assistant coach, including a fourth-place finish for the women’s team at the NCAA Championships in 2011. The Golden Eagle women were second at PSAC Championships and 17th in the nation in 2013, and finished 15th at NCAA Championships in 2015. The men’s side has also excelled at the national meet with Kelley as an assistant, taking 15th in 2012, 17th in 2013, 13th in 2014, and 18th in 2015.
As an athlete, Kelley was among the best Clarion had to offer in the mid-2000’s. She was a 12-time All-American that helped Clarion to PSAC team championships in 2004 and 2006 as well as second-place finishes in 2003 and 2005. The Golden Eagles finished fifth at the NCAA Championships in 2004, 10th in both 2003 and 2005, and 11th in 2006.
Kelley’s best individual finish at the NCAA Championships came in 2004 when she placed eighth in the nation in the 200 Fly. She placed ninth in the event in 2006 for the other top-10 national finish in her career, and earned 12th place in 2005. In 2004 she also placed 14th in the 100 Fly, 15th in the 400 IM, in 2005 she placed 14th in the 200 IM, and in 2006 she also placed in the 100 Fly. Kelley was also part of multiple All-American relay efforts.
A 2006 graduate of Clarion with a degree in Elementary Education, Kelley is married to her husband Jesse, and the couple has two sons.
In December of 2011 Kelley became a Certified “Level 1” Crossfit Trainer. Having a current CF-L1 certificate affords her the legal right to train others using CrossFit methods and the opportunity to apply for affiliation with Crossfit. The course allows her to train Clarion swimming athletes more efficiently and help them reach their maximum potential.
Brehan Kelley
Head Swimming and Diving Coach
Clarion Golden Eagles Athletics