Larry G. "Wags" Wagner


Year Inducted: 2000
Nominated By: Rick Willits (wrestler, asst. coach)
Sports Competed In: N/A
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Coach

Jerry Sisneros

High School:
Attended Fort Morgan H.S., Fort Morgan, CO, graduating in 1966.

Achievements:
High School:
● Two-time undefeated state wrestling champion with a record of 44-0 (1965-66).
● Earned the Outstanding Wrestler Award by the coaches at the state wrestling tournament his senior year (1966).

College:
Went to the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley CO and graduated in 1971.

Achievements:
College:
● Earned the 1970 Division II National Wrestling Champion during his junior season and finished third at the Division I National Tournament, earning All-American honors.

Coaching Career:
College (Grad. Asst. Wrestling Coach: Adams State College, 1972):
● Helped team win a National title. Doug Moses (wrestling coach at University of Southern CO) was a National Champ at 142 lbs on that team.
Head Coach: Pueblo East H.S. (since 1973):
● During his 20 years with the Eagles, he had coached six state champions. One (Rick Willits), went on to win a national title in college.

Achievements:
● Coached East to place 2nd in the Colorado State Wrestling Tournament (1982).
● Coached 36 State place winners, won five District Titles and place above all Pueblo High School teams.
● Placed in the State Tournament nine out of the 20 years he coached.
● Finished with six "Top-Ten Team Places” at the State Tournament.
● Coached four wrestlers to become undefeated state champions.

Occupation:
 Teacher and coach at Pueblo East H.S.

Personal:
Lives in Pueblo with his wife, Susan.


GPSA "W" By The Numbers

LEGEND: p = awarded posthumously; ^= attended first meeting; * = deceased;+ = charter member (placed after year inducted)

 1

Administrator/Contributor
George Williams, Sr. (1980)

Athlete/Contributor
Lou Henry Willschau (2018*p)

Athlete/Coach
John Wristen (2015)

Athlete/Coach/Contrbutor
Bruce Ernest Watkins (1985*)

Attended H.S. Outside Colorado
Ethel Wentworth (1974*)
Tama H.S., Tama, IA

Attended Pueblo Central H.S.
Rodney A. Wallace (1978*)

Attended Pueblo County H.S.
Nikole Marie Whitaker (2016)

Attended Pueblo South H.S.
John Wristen (2015)

Big Game Hunter
Mahlon Thatcher White (1981)

Car Racing
Lou Henry Willschau (2018*p)

Contributor
Wilbur Wayne Wright (1991*)

Honorees Awarded Posthumously
Lou Henry Willschau (2018*p)

Rifle
Ethel Wentworth (1974*)

Swimming
Travis J. Wolther (2014)

Won a National Championship
John Wristen (2015)

Wrestling
Rick Wayne Willits (2005)

2
Attended H.S. Inside Colorado
Larry G. Wagner (2000)
Fort Morgan H.S., Fort Morgan, CO
George Williams, Sr. (1980)
Fountain H.S., Fountain, CO

Attended Pueblo East H.S.
Rick Wayne Willits (2005)
Thomas Michael Waters (2004)

Softball
Nikole Marie Whitaker (2016)
Thomas Michael Waters (2004)

Track
Thomas Michael Waters (2004)
Bruce Ernest Watkins (1985*)

 

3
Attended Pueblo Centennial H.S.
Travis J. Wolther (2014)
Bruce Ernest Watkins (1985*)
Mahlon Thatcher White (1981)

Coach
Thomas Michael Waters (2004)
Larry G. Wagner (2000)
Ethel Wentworth (1974*)

 

 

 

4
Athlete
Nikole Marie Whitaker (2016)
Travis J. Wolther (2014)
Rick Wayne Willits (2005)
Rodney A. Wallace (1978*)

Football
John Wristen (2015)
Thomas Michael Waters (2004)
Bruce Ernest Watkins (1985*)
Rodney A. Wallace (1978*)

 

5
Honorees Deceased
Lou Henry Willschau (2018*p)
Wilbur Wayne Wright (1991*)
Bruce Ernest Watkins (1985*)
Rodney A. Wallace (1978*)
Ethel Wentworth (1974*)

 

13
Honorees in "W" Section

 

REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN GPSA INDUCTEES

The Greater Pueblo Sports Association (GPSA) has announced a list of honorees that have passed since the 2023 induction ceremony on Nov. 15.

 

 

Daniel RosalesDaniel
Rosales

12/13/2023
Class of 2002

Everett C. ThalhamerEverett C.
Thalhamer

12/23/2023
Class of 2014

Bob GrahamBobby Max
Graham

02/26/2024
Class of 1990

Joe BonaquistaJoe
Bonaquista

07/16/2024
Class of 1977