Kevin Darkus
Kevin Darkus, a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, was one of the most successful lightweight wrestlers in Iowa State University history.
At Cathedral Prep, he went undefeated in his junior and senior years, winning two Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state championships.
He continued his dominance at Iowa State winning an NCAA title, reaching the national finals twice and being a three-time All-American. Darkus was a three-time Big Eight Conference champion and finished his career with a remarkable 118-12-6 record.
In addition to collegiate success, he won a silver medal at the 1985 World Championships and was an alternate for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
After completing his competitive career, Darkus returned to Iowa State as an assistant coach and contributed to developing the next generation of wrestlers.
Kevin and his wife, Karien, have two daughters, Naiah and Piave.
Awards:
Year
2025
|
Award
Glen Brand Inductee
|
Chapter/Region
National
|
All American Awards:
Season
1984
|
School
Iowa State
|
Tournament
Division I
|
Weight
126
|
Place
1
|
Season
1983
|
School
Iowa State
|
Tournament
Division I
|
Weight
126
|
Place
5
|
Season
1982
|
School
Iowa State
|
Tournament
Division I
|
Weight
118
|
Place
2
|
College Season Records:
Season
1984
|
School
Iowa State
|
Class
Senior
|
Bouts
47
|
Wins
46
|
Losses
0
|
Ties
1
|
Falls
0
|
Win PCT.
97.87
|
Place
1st
|
Season
1983
|
School
Iowa State
|
Class
Junior
|
Bouts
37
|
Wins
32
|
Losses
4
|
Ties
1
|
Falls
0
|
Win PCT.
86.49
|
Place
5th
|
Season
1982
|
School
Iowa State
|
Class
Sophomore
|
Bouts
35
|
Wins
27
|
Losses
5
|
Ties
3
|
Falls
8
|
Win PCT.
77.14
|
Place
2nd
|
Season
1981
|
School
Iowa State
|
Class
Freshman
|
Bouts
16
|
Wins
12
|
Losses
3
|
Ties
1
|
Falls
5
|
Win PCT.
75
|
Place
DNW
|
Season
Career
|
Bouts
135
|
Wins
117
|
Losses
12
|
Ties
6
|
Falls
13
|
Win PCT.
86.67
|
All Rankings:
Season
1984
|
Rank Date
12/12/1983
|
Weight
126
|
Rank
1
|
School
Iowa State
|
Season
1984
|
Rank Date
12/26/1983
|
Weight
126
|
Rank
1
|
School
Iowa State
|
Season
1984
|
Rank Date
01/16/1984
|
Weight
126
|
Rank
1
|
School
Iowa State
|
Season
1984
|
Rank Date
01/30/1984
|
Weight
126
|
Rank
1
|
School
Iowa State
|
Season
1984
|
Rank Date
02/13/1984
|
Weight
126
|
Rank
1
|
School
Iowa State
|
Season
1984
|
Rank Date
02/27/1984
|
Weight
126
|
Rank
1
|
School
Iowa State
|
Season
1984
|
Rank Date
03/08/1984
|
Weight
126
|
Rank
1
|
School
Iowa State
|
Season
1983
|
Rank Date
11/29/1982
|
Weight
118
|
Rank
1
|
School
Iowa State
|