A 2-time Big 10 Champion, NCAA National Runner-up and Team Captain at the University of Minnesota, Garth Lappin continued that same success as a coach, and later, became the first Principle at both Coon Rapids Junior High and Coon Rapids Senior High School. He is one of the great names attributed to Minnesota Wrestling legend. Garth was born in 1921 in Northern Iowa and educated in a one-room school house. He started wrestling in Cresco, Iowa, a small community with a tremendous tradition of turning out wrestling legends. Lappin started his teaching and coaching career in 1949 at Anoka High School where his teams accumulated a 102-17 win-loss record. He coached two Minnesota State Championship teams and 16 individual State Champions. He is a member of the Dave Bartelma Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame. He wrestled for Coach Bartelma at the University of Minnesota. Lappin was a tireless promoter of wrestling and one of Minnesota's pioneers in the sport. During the emergence of youth wrestling in Minnesota, Garth arranged for both AAU and Wrestling Federation Tournaments that were held at Anoka or Coon Rapids High Schools. He arranged for the USA team to wrestle the USSR touring team at Anoka High School. He served wrestling in Minnesota from 1949 to 1972. "Lappin was an active wrestling official at the high school and collegiate level, and he was one of the founders of the first wrestling officials association in the metro area. In 1972 he was the tournament director of the United States Olympic Wrestling Trials held in Anoka. Garth gave back to wrestling for decades and provided support for many wrestling activities," says Don Meyers. Minnesota chapter President, Spencer Yohe, says, " There is no question that Garth was one of the greatest wrestlers in Minnesota Gopher history, and was one of the outstanding leaders and pioneers, and one of the best coaches in the state of Minnesota during his era. The State of Minnesota has certainly benefited and become stronger over the years because of the guidance and direction from the likes of "Garth Lappin." Since retiring, Lappin, has continued to be active. He has volunteered for numerous organizations including Save the Children Craft Shop and the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Committee, which he has chaired. He served for 25 years (through 2000) on the board of the Harlan R Thurston Foundation, which has provided thousands of dollars in loans for Higher and vocational education to deserving students in Anoka - Hennepin District #11; He volunteered with the Hospice Program of North Memorial Medical Center for 14 years. Garth Lappin is a name that will always be associated with the growth and development of Minnesota high school wrestling. He was also one of the State's first great coaches. This former Minnesota Gopher star will always be remembered in legendary proportions.