Harry Lester
Class of 2002
Moline
A graduate of Rock Island High School in 1952, Harry Lester wrestled at Western Illinois University in 1954 and 1955.
Harry began coaching at Moline High School and helped the Maroons win their first state title in 1969. He served as an assistant for six seasons,’ then eleven years as the head coach. His teams had a 135-49 record during that time. He coached twenty-eight state qualifiers, six place winners and two state champions. Moline three conferences, crowns, three regional championships, two sectional titles and placed third in the state in 1980.
Harry is considered by many to be the “Father of the Illinois Junior National Greco Roman Team. He began the developmental program in the 1970’s that produced
many junior national champions and place winners, including a national record six junior national finalists from Moline in seven years. He was the head coach for Team Illinois in 1977, 1978, and 1979.
He has also helped launch the careers of nine coaches