Cornell University Athletics

Second Team All-CSFL (2012 & 2013)

As a Senior (2013)
Kelder was a fixture on defense all season long for the Big Red, playing every game and leading the team with 46 total tackles including 34 solo stops. He recorded one tackle for a loss and one sack (both for seven yards), as well as one forced fumble and one pass breakup. His best performance came against Navy on the road, as he posted a season-high and game-high 12 tackles on the day. An asset to the Big Red throughout his career, Kelder was named to the All-CSFL Second Team for the second straight year. 

As a Junior (2012)
Kelder was instrumental on defense, leading Cornell with 60 total tackles (28 solo, 32 assisted). He had 3.5 tackles for loss, half a sack and an interception. With his vital linebacking play, Kelder was named to the All-CSFL Second Team.

As a Sophomore (2011)
Kelder was a key player on the defense, tying for the team lead with two interceptions while playing in all seven games. He finished third on the team with 43 tackles and was third on the roster with 4.5 tackles.

As aFreshman (2010)
Kelder saw action in six games during his rookie campaign. He finished the year with six tackles, including 1.5 for a loss of seven yards. Kelder also intercepted a pass against Princeton, which he returned 27 yards, and blocked a kick against the Tigers.

Before Cornell
Kelder lettered three times at Rondout Valley high school, where he played running back, linebacker and cornerback. He served as the team captain as a senior and won the team’s sportsmanship award as a junior. He also lettered four times in wrestling, twice in baseball and twice in track and field. As a wrestler, he took third place in Section IX in the 160-pound division.

Personal
John Christopher Kelder is the son of Jackie and Chris Kelder and he has one younger sister. He comes from a long line of Cornellians as both of his parents, as well as his grandfather Wayne, uncles Brian Kelder and James Versweyveld and aunt Debra Neumann all attended Cornell. His father played sprint football for the Big Red from 1983-87. Kelder is enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.