Rafael Kelly’s headgear and singlet hang in the Southwest DeKalb locker room. His photo is next to the wrestling gear.

Southwest DeKalb wrestlers are left to draw on those keepsakes for inspiration and motivation, instead of hearing encouraging words from Kelly this season.

The Panthers are dedicating the season to Kelly, who was shot and killed last summer in Clayton County. Kelly, the Region 6-AAAA champion in 2011 at 189 pounds, was considered among the favorites again this season as the Panthers work toward defending their first region championship since 2006.

“We were close; he was like a brother to me,” said senior Gabe Echols. “It’s hard you know, just trying to stay focused.”

Kelly and Echols met on the wrestling team as ninth graders and quickly formed a bond through the sport. Echols won the region at 285 pounds in 2010 and placed second in the Class AAAA state meet. He is considered one of the top wrestlers in the nation in his weight class.

Echols, who admits it has been difficult coming to practice knowing his friend won’t be there, is drawing from Kelly’s personality to lead his team.

“He always had a good attitude and always gave it his all,” Echols said. “Rafael had great character and was always looking to help somebody. He was a great guy, we all miss him. We loved him.”

Although some of the younger wrestlers did not know Kelly, his death has brought the team closer together, coach Keith Johnson said.

“The kids are very dedicated,” Johnson said. “Of course they miss him. Some of the new kids don’t know him but they’ve heard about him. It brought the kids together as far as doing the right thing and being where you’re supposed to be. It’s a lesson for the kids about guns and how unsafe they are.”

The team had a moment of silence in honor of Kelly at its first home meet, and Johnson said there likely will be another such remembrance at the county championships at the end of the month.

Southwest is wearing new black uniforms this season with the number “189,” Kelly’s weight class, on the back.

Johnson said he stays in touch with Kelly’s mother, but she has not come to any of Southwest’s home matches.

“I talk to her often to make sure she’s doing OK,” he said. “I can understand that it would be hard for her to come back.”

The Panthers face one of their first big tests of the season Jan. 5-6 in the Region 6-AAAA team duals championships at Marist.

“[His death] has brought the team together,” Echols said. “This season is in memory of him. It was going to be me, him and another wrestler to lead the team. With Rafael gone, we’ll try to lead the team to a state championship.

“Whatever happens, it’s important to keep it on a positive level. We’ve got to stay humble. That’s what [Kelly] did. Stay humble, that’s what I take from it.”