Wacker a champ at handling adversity

Iola’s Damian Wacker has undergone 11 lung collapses since his sophomore year of high school but that doesn’t hold him back from competing in wrestling and football.

Iola High’s Damian Wacker has more challenges than most athletes his age.

Since his sophomore year, Wacker has battled the fact that his lungs periodically collapse. Wacker suffers from spontaneous pneumothorax, a genetic condition where the lungs partially or completely collapse without warning. 

Wacker looks at his condition philosophically, maintaining it makes him a stronger person and athlete. 

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