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HIGH SCHOOL

Perry Meridian's Dave Thornton continues to coach while battling cancer

By Steve Brooks
Star correspondent
Perry Meridian Assistant Wrestling Coach Dave Thornton at the wrestling regional finals Saturday February 8, 2014. Thornton is battling colorectal cancer.

Jim Tonte is an intense guy. Perry Meridian's wrestling coach since 1996, Tonte coaches the same way in practically every match, whether his team is leading by 40 points with one match to go or his wrestler is vying for a state title.

But that intensity didn't always transfer over to tackling heights. Years ago, Tonte was afraid go up on his roof to string up Christmas lights. Then assistant coach Dave Thornton came to the rescue.

"There he was, ready to help me," Tonte says. "That's just Dave. He's meant so much to us, not just in terms of wrestling, but in terms of to my family, to all our families, to the school and to the community. That's why we're doing this."

"This" is dedicating this week to both Thornton and his family. Thornton – who, with his wife, Allison, has 6-year- and 3-year-old daughters – was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in late 2010, and has undergone surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, the latter of which his undergoes two to three times a month now. He's also facing more surgical procedures.

This week, Perry Meridian High School is raising funds to help the Thorntons, selling t-shirts and wristbands during school, conducting a raffle and taking donations during Thursday's boys basketball game. The plan is to present the Thorntons with a donation Thursday night.

"It's overwhelming, and it really means the world to me," said Thornton, who has taught and coached at Perry Meridian for 21 years. "It's unbelievable the way people have really stepped up. Obviously the financial generosity is nice, but more than that, the moral support and words of encouragement have been amazing."

Perry Meridian Assistant Wrestling Coach Dave Thornton works at the wrestling regional finals Saturday February 8, 2014. Thornton is battling colorectal cancer.

Cancer hasn't slowed Thornton, who continues to teach, help out with wrestling, tutor twice a week after school and two nights a week, serve as the head rigger at Klipsch Music Center, and act as treasurer of Save The Show Foundation, a non-profit group founded after The Indiana State Fair stage collapse to support entertainment production industry professionals during times of tragedy or crisis, and to promote industry safety awareness

"That's just the way he is and the kind of person he is," says Tonte's wife, Tina, who helped organize this week's events. "You don't know anything's wrong with him when you talk to him. He's such a great person, and I think that's why so many people have wanted to help him through this."

Thornton says he has stayed as busy as he does to continue feeling "normal." It also helps keep up a persona of being and feeling OK.

I try to put on a happy face as much as I can so people won't worry about me," he said. "But the flip side of that is that my wife and kids sometimes see the rough side of things when I come home from chemo, when I'm tired or not feeling well. I'm trying to be better at that, and I'm trying to do all the things I need to do to be a good dad."

The support of others has been a blessing to the Thorntons, Allison says.

"I'm truly, truly in awe; I almost can't find the words," she says. "You always hope that in situations like this, that you know your employer and coworkers will support you, but this is just more than I can wrap my mind around. It's really powerful when people care about you, and (it) really does give you the strength to move forward.

"His department chair has been so supportive regarding any time he's had to miss because of treatments or appointments. One of the retired math teachers is even on standby to fill in for Dave if he has to be out. If Dave didn't have that, he'd be much more worried about time out of the classroom. The outpouring of support, encouragement, prayer and monetary donations just shows how much the wrestling and Perry Meridian High School communities care for their own and aren't afraid to show it."

And if anyone in the Perry Meridian family can beat cancer, Jim Tonte is convinced it's Thornton.

"This is a guy that dunks the ball when our team comes in to the high school to play basketball in the morning," Tonte says. "A wrestling coach who dunks? He rushed for a touchdown (against Central Michigan) playing football for Miami of Ohio in college. He's 'Super Dave,' and if anyone can beat this, it's him.

"And we're going to be there for him while he does. We used to say that if any of us were ever one ('Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'), that Dave would be our lifeline. Well, we're going to be his lifeline."

A fund has been set up for Thornton and his family at giveforward.com. To donate or for more information, click here.