Les Lammers, a native of Winthrop, in northeast Iowa, Les is a 1960 graduate of Westmar College. After college, he entered the Army National Guard and served as a Medic during the time of active duty and during his reserve years. His first coaching and teaching job was at Ledyard where he started the girls’ track program. During those years, the 440 yards was considered a run and the basketball throw was part of the field events.
Les moved on to Pocahontas in 1964 to teach Business Education and coach girls’ basketball and track. He coached several fine teams at the school in both basketball and track. Les also served as Athletic Director at Pocahontas and helped organize and direct the class C boys’ state track meet, which was held in Pocahontas for several years. In the 1970’s, Les moved on to Estherville where once again, he started the girls’ basketball program and coached girls’ track.
In 25 years of coaching basketball, he guided Estherville to 7 Lake’s Conference titles, two state tournament births and a state championship in 1982. Les finished with a 35-year coaching record of 473 wins and 265 losses. Les began his track starting career in 1979 and continues on to this day. He has started many Invitational, District and Cross Country meets. He started the Girls’ State Track meet on three occasions.
He was one of the original IATO board members when the organization was formed in 2000. Les now spends many hours fishing on Big Spirit Lake where he and his wife Janet have a cabin. They enjoy spending many hours with their six children and 18 grandchildren.