(Atlantic) Darrian Schwenke will be inducted into the Atlantic Wrestling Hall of Fame at the 16th Annual event at the Venue in Atlantic, recognizing an outstanding high school career highlighted by a state championship and one of the best winning percentages in program history.
Atlantic head wrestling coach Tim Duff says Schwenke was committed to wrestling from an early age, competing successfully on the AAU circuit and representing Atlantic throughout his youth and high school career.
Atlantic Head Coach Tim Duff says Darrian is one of those student-athletes who were all in on wrestling from an early age.
Schwenke capped his career in 2014 by winning the Class 2A state championship at 126 pounds. He finished his senior season 52-1, avenging his only loss in the state tournament semifinals before claiming the championship.
He finished his high school career with a 151-12 record, including 90 pins. At graduation, his 151 victories ranked second in program history. More impressive was his .926 career winning percentage, which remains the best in Atlantic wrestling history. Coach Duff noted that Schwenke’s 12 career losses are the fewest among the top 30 wrestlers listed on the program’s record board.
Schwenke placed fourth at the state tournament as a freshman and was considered a state championship contender from the time he entered Atlantic’s high school wrestling program.
Duff says beyond wrestling, Schwenke went on to serve as an Airborne Ranger and established a distinguished military career. He is now involved in efforts to support veterans, raise money and bring awareness to post-traumatic stress disorder.
Duff says Schwenke’s recent efforts to raise awareness for veterans, including walking across Iowa while carrying golf clubs and golfing along the way. Recently, Darrian walked 375 miles across Iowa. His project, “Course of Action,” began in early September at the Missouri River. Over the course of two to three weeks, he walked across the state carrying his golf clubs, documenting the experience before ending his journey at the Mississippi River. Along the route, Schwenke stopped in five Iowa communities, where he played a round of golf with a local veteran. The filmed rounds provided veterans with an opportunity to share their experiences in the military, their transition back to civilian life and stories of resilience.
Meanwhile, Darrian will complete his second year this summer working in the ICU at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, which will make him eligible to apply for the Chopper Life Flight Medic at the hospital.
Darrian is getting married on December 19, to Lydie Eddleman, who has two years left of training to be a podiatrist.
Coach Tim Duff says Schwenke is a deserving addition to the Hall of Fame, and he looks forward to welcoming him back for the recognition ceremony.
The Hall of Fame Banquet is open to the public, and will be held on November 20, at 6:00 p.m., at the Venue. A free will donation dinner will proceed the awards ceremony.
