CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illini family has lost a very decorated champion with the passing of former Fighting Illini wrestler Larry TenPas. Larry passed on January 16 surrounded by his loved ones at age 89.
Larry competed for the Fighting Illini wrestling program from 1954-56. In that time, he became a three-time All-American, 1955 Big Ten Champion at 157 pounds and a 1957 NCAA Champion at 157 pounds. He was a national runner-up at 167 pounds in 1955 and earned bronze at 157 pounds in 1954. In all three of his competition years, he was named the Most Valuable Wrestler at the University of Illinois.
After his wrestling days he joined the U.S. Army and served for three years from 1957-59. In 1959, he went back to coach at his alma mater, Waukegan High School, where he served as the freshman and sophomore coach until 1967. He later was promoted to head coach in 1967 and held that role until 1985.
