History of Easton Wrestling

Larry Gaines ’55

Career Record: 34-6, 2x District Champ, Regional Champ

1955 – 120 lbs.: District Champ, Regional Runner-Up (13-1)

1954 – 105 lbs.: District Champ, Regional Champ, State Semifinals (12-1)

1953 – 105 lbs.: District Runner-Up (9-4)

Larry Gaines was the second Easton wrestler to win a Northeast Regional title and was a three year starter as the Red Rovers established themselves as a premier wrestling program in the early 1950s. 

Gaines earned a starting spot as a sophomore, pinning Jim Barna (Phillipsburg) in the second period during his first dual against the Stateliners.  At the D11 tournament, he beat future state finalist Bob Meyers (Northampton) in semifinals with a 10-5 decision before falling to 1954 state champion Harold Wilson (Nazareth). 

As a junior, Gaines moved up to 112 pounds, where he posted an undefeated regular season, including wins over future Northeast Regional champ Don Santo (Northampton), New Jersey medalist Bill Krupa (Washington), and future state champion Russ Rohrbach (Allentown), whom he dominated in a 13-6 decision to end the regular season.  At the District 11 tournament, Gaines blanked Tim Snyder (Allentown) in semifinals and defeated John Ehert (Bethlehem) for his first D11 title.  At Northeast Regionals, Gaines had a bye to finals, where he defeated Keith Williams (Coughlin) 6-2.  At the state tournament, Gaines fell to longtime Manheim Township coach Dick Charles (JP McCaskey), getting pinned in the second period. 

As a senior, Gaines ran through the regular season undefeated, getting his third straight win over Jim Barna (Phillipsburg) and setting an Easton record with fifteen career pins, which he earned in his final dual against Nazareth.  At the D11 tournament, he upped his career total to 17 by pinning Dick Santo (Northampton) and Ehert to win his second straight title.  He had a bye to the Northeast Regional finals, but was upset by future NCAA qualifier Tom Quinn (Shamokin) to deny him a second straight trip to states.  Quinn went on to win the state championship.