Frank Laccone

Class of 2013

DeKalb

Frank Laccone wrestled in junior high and DeKalb Middle School for IWCOA Hall of Famer Arch Richoz. In 1987, while in the seventh grade, he placed third in the IKWF state wrestling tournament at 90 pounds and the following year was the state runner – up in the IESA state tournament at 105 pounds.

Laccone wrestled for IWCOA Hall of Famer Dan Cliffe at DeKalb High School. He was a state qualifier at 103lbs as a freshman and fifth at 112 pounds his sophomore year. Laccone captured the IHSA State championship at 125 pounds as a junior and was the 130 pound runner up as a senior. He finished his high school career with a record of 152 wins and 11 losses. Laccone earned All-American honors with a fourth place finish at the junior nationals (123lbs.) in 1991.

In 1993, Laccone joined the Purdue University Boilermakers, wrestling for Jessie Reyes. He was an NCAA qualifier as a freshman. After redshirting a year, Laccone wrestled at 134 pounds and placed seventh at the NCAA tournament in 1995, earning All American status. In addition, he also placed fifth at the Trofeo Milone Tournament in Italy, on a team consisting of underclassmen All-Americans. Laccone was also runner up at the Midlands wrestling tournament, Big Ten wrestling tournament, and University Nationals that same year.

His junior season, Frank was a Big Ten runner up, placing eighth at the NCAA tournament to become a two – time NCAA All-American. As a senior, Laccone wrestled at 142 pounds and was an NCAA qualifier for the fourth time finishing his college career with a record of 109-43.

Laccone graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and completed his Master of Science in Entomology at the University of Nebraska. His work experience includes a variety of positions working with animals. He has seven years of animal care and animal training experience. Some of the animals he has worked with include dolphins, sea lions, big cats, many types of reptiles, chimpanzees, and a variety of primates and birds.

Laccone has over seven years of classroom experience teaching science and over four years of experience teaching science online. He has taught science courses for the University of Phoenix and ITT in Jacksonville. Laccone now works remotely teaching science as an online adjunct instructor for Moberly Area Community College in MO, Orion Online HS in TX, and Excel College in MN.

Laccone also homeschools both of his son’s Isaac (8) and Talon (5) and enjoys working on his hobby farm as a beekeeper. He loves camping, hiking, and hanging out with his sons and his wife of twelve years, Shara.