Rock Island native Larry Kanke, a graduate of Eastern Illinois University, wrestled his way to fourth place in the NAIA Championships at 177 pounds. He was also a two-time IIAC Conference Champion and the NAIA District 20's Outstanding Wrestler, posting a 28-2 record his senior year and winning the team's Most Falls Award. Later Larry would earn a master's degree from the University of Illinois. After serving two years in the U.S. Army, Larry began coaching and teaching at J.D. Darnell High School in Geneseo. His teams posted 393 dual meet wins and won 11 NCIC Conference Championships and five Regional titles. He coached 66 state qualifiers and 12 state place-winners - including his sons Tim and Mike, both of whom placed twice in the state tournaments. After retiring from Geneseo, Larry took over the reins at Rock Island High School and rebuilt the wrestling program, where he coached a state champion. Larry was also an IHSA wrestling official for 27 years, as well as a USA Wrestling official for both Freestyle and Greco-Roman competition, along with being inducted into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Hall of Fame in 2002.