Former Marion athlete seriously injured on duty

MARION -- A former Marion High School athlete was seriously injured while on duty in Afghanistan.

Ryan McSweeny, a Marine and a 2010 MHS graduate "was out on patrol and was hit by an (improvised explosive device)," according to Marion football coach Tony Perkins.

McSweeny suffered extensive damage to one arm and one leg. Marion High School principal Greg Thomas e-mailed the following update at 1 p.m. Thursday:

"Ryan had surgery on his leg and arm to stabilize injuries and remove shrapnel.  He has feeling in all his injured limbs, lost a tooth and has some surface cuts.  He has a good sense of humor, made sure someone called his parents and should be on his way to Germany for further recuperation."

Kim McSweeny, Ryan's mother, did not know if her son was in a vehicle at the time or not.  She said a contact from the Marines told her a number of her son's buddies were also injured in the same attack.

Ryan McSweeny was a running back and defensive back for Perkins' football team, and wrestled for Bruce Weisinger. As a senior, McSweeny collected five tackles and intercepted a pass, according to Quik Stats Iowa. He rushed 11 times for 26 yards.

"He's a great kid with a huge heart. He was very athletic and gave everything he had," Perkins said. "He was a small defensive back, but you could trust him to make any tackle. He wasn't going to get beat around the corner."

Marion Superintendent Sarah Pinion said that the doors to the high school will be open at 6 p.m. Thursday for people to gather informally for a vigil for McSweeny. According to Pinion, there is no organized event.

Perkins said he received a call from Weisinger around 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Thomas called McSweeny a "Class-A kind of kid. He's a quality kid and individual. He always knew what he wanted to do, and I can't say enough about him."