Cyndi Kelly of Columbia was inducted into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame in Dalton, Ga., on Sept. 21. (submitted photo)

Cyndi Kelly was inducted into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame on Sept. 21.

She was presented a plaque during a ceremony that took place in Dalton, Ga.

Kelly, a retired Waterloo High School physical education teacher and guidance counselor, also received a letter of congratulations from the mayor of Dalton as well as a key to the city.

Kelly, 67, of Columbia, has been playing senior softball for more than 15 years with teams from and at tournaments held all around the country.

She is already a member of the St. Louis Softball Hall of Fame. 

Kelly played college softball at Southeast Missouri State University. After college, she was hired to teach at WHS, where she helped start girls sports in 1972 just prior to Title IX being enforced a few years later.

During her coaching years at WHS, Kelly helped lead girls athletics programs to several conference and regional titles.

As a member of the Senior Softball U.S.A. “Fun Bunch” traveling team, Kelly won tournament Most Valuable Player honors and several team championships. This team won the Softball Players Association World Series of Senior Softball Championships in 2012.

Just two years prior, Kelly was named to the SPA All-American Team.

Kelly, who currently plays with the Saints-Express team from California, is still considered the top defensive first baseman in her age division. 

She plans to play with Ye Olde Bats from Reno, Nev., next season.