My son and I got to speak with Mark DeToro while at a wrestling tournament in Clay this past weekend. Mark looked great...gained a lot weight back, he was out of the chair up on crutches and was in great spirits. He was going out of his way to make my 13 year old son feel special. What a class act....like they say, after wrestling, everything else is easy!
OUTPOURING OF LOVE
A community reaches out to help in a tragic injury
By Stephen Kindland Story updated at 11:41 PM on Sunday, Mar. 15, 2009 EMAIL PRINT BLOG THIS COMMENT Buzz up!
Photos
Photo 1 of 4
STEPHEN KINDLAND/Special
Clay High School senior wrestler Kyle Mills, the reigning state champion in the 152-pound weight class, was the first person to sign a get-well banner March 11 that will be delivered to injured volunteer wrestling coach Mark Detoro at his room in Shands Hospital in Gainesville. The school's art division made the banner.Photo 2 of 4
Clay High School senior wrestlers Garrett Souleau (from left), Cody Underwood, who is also class president, and Kyle Mills stand beneath an inspirational message March 11 that has been displayed all week in support of injured volunteer wrestling coach Mark Detoro. Soulieau and Mills are reigning state champions, while Underwood competed at State.Photo 3 of 4
Phlebotomist Michell Donald inserts a needle into the arm of Green Cove Springs City Clerk Margie Robertson at the Florida Georgia Blood Alliance in Orange Park. Robertson is one of about 200 people who have donated blood for former Clay High volunteer coach Mark Detoro.Photo 4 of 4 Volunteer wrestling coach Mark Detoro
Clay High School wrestler Cody Underwood headed for the nearest blood donation center immediately after learning volunteer coach Mark Detoro was critically injured and left for dead by a hit-and-run driver along U.S. 301 near Ocala.
He soon learned that several teammates were a step ahead of him.
"I kept calling people and they said they've already been" to the Florida Georgia Blood Alliance in Orange Park, said Underwood, who is also class president. "I've never donated blood before, but I skipped dinner and took a friend with me.
"I was in shock," he said. "A week earlier he was in my corner at the state [wrestling] tournament."
Personable, energetic and one of the finest athletes to graduate from Clay High in recent years, the 26-year-old Detoro had challenged himself to complete a 100-mile bicycle ride, mainly to stay in shape before heading for National Guard boot camp later this year. He left home on Monday morning, March 2.
No one knows what happened near U.S. 301 and Florida 441, or even what time the hit-and-run occurred. It was only by chance that a Marion County sheriff's deputy discovered an unconscious Detoro on the southbound shoulder of the road - about 70 feet from his bicycle - at 8:45 p.m.
Florida State Trooper Thomas Dillon arrived minutes later, but declined to elaborate.
"He did lose a lot of blood," Dillon said. "I'll leave it at that."
Detoro was flown to Shands Hospital in Gainesville, where doctors worked on him for three days before amputating his right leg just above the knee. He since has had a second surgery.
Dillon said there was no evidence to help investigators determine the make, model or color of the vehicle that sent Detoro skidding across the pavement.
"We've got absolutely nothing to go on. There were no skid marks, no vehicle parts, nothing."
Wilma Naylor of the Florida Georgia Blood Alliance said Detoro's case has created "some of the busiest days we've had here," and that the alliance has collected more than 236 units in his name.
Clay High faculty and administrators pooled $500 in cash less than two hours after hearing the news, according to Principal Pete McCabe.
"It hit us all pretty hard," said McCabe, who delivered the money to help Manuel "Manny" Detoro and his wife, Jo, pay for lodging and out-of-pocket expenses in Gainesville. "We care so much for Mark and his family."
Manny Detoro said he and his wife have been humbled by the outpouring of compassion.
"I didn't know he touched so many hearts," he said.
Head wrestling coach Jim Reape described Detoro as "a 5-foot-10, 210-pound block of muscle" who was "hell on wheels" throughout his high school career. Detoro still holds the single-season record for sacks he set while playing nose guard his senior year, and he went on to place second in the state wrestling tournament before qualifying for state weightlifting competition and the state track meet.
Manny Detoro is confident that his son, who earned a bachelor's degree at the University of North Florida, will have a successful career.
"The National Guard people told me that others have made it through boot camp with artificial legs," he said. "He'll be an inspiration to others.
"He'll be angry for three or four days after he finds out what happened, but after that he won't even hate the person who ran over him. He'll forgive whoever it was."
Clay High School wrestling coach Jim Reape visited Mark Detoro on Wednesday and sent out this e-mail to school staff. It is reprinted here with permission.
I saw Mark and it was a heavy emotional experience.
He is awake, aware of his amputation, a little medicated but running through the emotions with amazing resolve and strength.
He asked a lot about other people and was very touched with all the support. It was a strain to speak after nine days with a tube in his throat.
They brought him the lung exerciser where you breath in and make the yellow ball rise. Mark took to it like a workout. They asked for 10 reps an hour; he did 10 sets in 30 minutes until his mom and I took it away from him. But I saw his desire to start therapy, to get going, to take control of his life again right there.
He got tired and started to drift. There was this sadness below the surface but great resolve about him.
As he fell asleep I couldn't help but lean forward and kiss his forehead. As I left, I was a bit startled at my own gesture. I am not "Captain Affection" by any means. Hell, it has taken me 15 years to get used to all the hugging Southerners are so comfortable with.
As I drove, I was still thinking about it. I kept recalling the end of the movie "Patton." George C. Scott as Patton finds a wounded and battle-weary lieutenant resting against a disabled tank. After the young officer briefs him, Patton is so moved that he leans forward and kisses him on the forehead.
There it was. I had gone to the hospital to be a source of encouragement and strength to Mark. I planned to be calm, rational and encouraging ... in coach mode really. For 15 years that is what I have preached. "Obstacles are just things to overcome." "Life will be hard, accept it and press on," etc.
But here he was really fighting the fight. Leaning up against his disabled tank. The pain of his experience just below the surface but this resolve that he would soon return to the fight ... no matter how terrible and demanding.
Funny, the moments where we see the beauty in this world.
Coach Reape
I attended Lassen Community College 2001-2003 and was privileged to watch Mark wrestle. Mark and I had a few classes and even played basketball together. I was on the LCC girl’s basketball team and the LCC Wrestles would scrimmage against us….They were exquisite athletics with nice physiques but lacked the finesse that it takes to with a hand eye coroneted sport! Mark thank you for your friendship and for being an amazing role model.
I wrestled under Vougar and with Mark at Lassen. This is the first I have heard about Mark and the accident. I have a always admired Marks happy- go lucky attitude. He is extremely strong physically and mentally. I do remember the dad and brother wrestling; wish we had it on tape. Mark, if you read this please get a hold of me.
After high school Mark wrestled for us,Lassen college,CA. Mark wrestled 184 lb . A very strong kid. Only Mark could body care are heawy weight wrestler. His parents never missed his college wrestling matches.They flew from Florida to California almost every week. His uncle lived in California and never missed his college matches too. I remember we made his father and uncle wrestle each other. He was always a happy kid. God loves you ,he gave you a big clean heart. Also Mark was a good football player.After Lassen college he got a full scholarship for football. I know you'll be fine Mark because you're tough. I will definately have my son wrestle in your benefit tournament. You probably remember Naryman, my son. He's now 2x ny state champ. Mark, God with you,see you soon. I would like to make a donation.Gould you e-mail me tha information so i could do that.
Mark Detoro, a former Clay High School wrestler was critically injured while riding his bicycle in March. The car didn't stop and Mark was left for dead on the side of the road. A policeman found him more than an hour after the accident. Mark was airlifted to Shands Hospital - for the next 10 days he was not expected to live. I heard his father say that Mark wasn't ready to die, he has a lot left to accomplish. Possibly teaching and definitely helping kids through wrestling. A lot of kids were inspired by your courage Mark - I know all of our Gainesville Boys and Girls club wrestlers were initially saddened - but when they saw your positive attitude, their spirits were lifted. We are proud of you, your family and the Clay area wrestling family!
A community reaches out to help in a tragic injury
By Stephen Kindland Story updated at 11:41 PM on Sunday, Mar. 15, 2009 EMAIL PRINT BLOG THIS COMMENT Buzz up!
Photos
Photo 1 of 4
STEPHEN KINDLAND/Special
Clay High School senior wrestler Kyle Mills, the reigning state champion in the 152-pound weight class, was the first person to sign a get-well banner March 11 that will be delivered to injured volunteer wrestling coach Mark Detoro at his room in Shands Hospital in Gainesville. The school's art division made the banner.Photo 2 of 4
Clay High School senior wrestlers Garrett Souleau (from left), Cody Underwood, who is also class president, and Kyle Mills stand beneath an inspirational message March 11 that has been displayed all week in support of injured volunteer wrestling coach Mark Detoro. Soulieau and Mills are reigning state champions, while Underwood competed at State.Photo 3 of 4
Phlebotomist Michell Donald inserts a needle into the arm of Green Cove Springs City Clerk Margie Robertson at the Florida Georgia Blood Alliance in Orange Park. Robertson is one of about 200 people who have donated blood for former Clay High volunteer coach Mark Detoro.Photo 4 of 4 Volunteer wrestling coach Mark Detoro
Clay High School wrestler Cody Underwood headed for the nearest blood donation center immediately after learning volunteer coach Mark Detoro was critically injured and left for dead by a hit-and-run driver along U.S. 301 near Ocala.
He soon learned that several teammates were a step ahead of him.
"I kept calling people and they said they've already been" to the Florida Georgia Blood Alliance in Orange Park, said Underwood, who is also class president. "I've never donated blood before, but I skipped dinner and took a friend with me.
"I was in shock," he said. "A week earlier he was in my corner at the state [wrestling] tournament."
Personable, energetic and one of the finest athletes to graduate from Clay High in recent years, the 26-year-old Detoro had challenged himself to complete a 100-mile bicycle ride, mainly to stay in shape before heading for National Guard boot camp later this year. He left home on Monday morning, March 2.
No one knows what happened near U.S. 301 and Florida 441, or even what time the hit-and-run occurred. It was only by chance that a Marion County sheriff's deputy discovered an unconscious Detoro on the southbound shoulder of the road - about 70 feet from his bicycle - at 8:45 p.m.
Florida State Trooper Thomas Dillon arrived minutes later, but declined to elaborate.
"He did lose a lot of blood," Dillon said. "I'll leave it at that."
Detoro was flown to Shands Hospital in Gainesville, where doctors worked on him for three days before amputating his right leg just above the knee. He since has had a second surgery.
Dillon said there was no evidence to help investigators determine the make, model or color of the vehicle that sent Detoro skidding across the pavement.
"We've got absolutely nothing to go on. There were no skid marks, no vehicle parts, nothing."
Wilma Naylor of the Florida Georgia Blood Alliance said Detoro's case has created "some of the busiest days we've had here," and that the alliance has collected more than 236 units in his name.
Clay High faculty and administrators pooled $500 in cash less than two hours after hearing the news, according to Principal Pete McCabe.
"It hit us all pretty hard," said McCabe, who delivered the money to help Manuel "Manny" Detoro and his wife, Jo, pay for lodging and out-of-pocket expenses in Gainesville. "We care so much for Mark and his family."
Manny Detoro said he and his wife have been humbled by the outpouring of compassion.
"I didn't know he touched so many hearts," he said.
Head wrestling coach Jim Reape described Detoro as "a 5-foot-10, 210-pound block of muscle" who was "hell on wheels" throughout his high school career. Detoro still holds the single-season record for sacks he set while playing nose guard his senior year, and he went on to place second in the state wrestling tournament before qualifying for state weightlifting competition and the state track meet.
Manny Detoro is confident that his son, who earned a bachelor's degree at the University of North Florida, will have a successful career.
"The National Guard people told me that others have made it through boot camp with artificial legs," he said. "He'll be an inspiration to others.
"He'll be angry for three or four days after he finds out what happened, but after that he won't even hate the person who ran over him. He'll forgive whoever it was."
Clay High School wrestling coach Jim Reape visited Mark Detoro on Wednesday and sent out this e-mail to school staff. It is reprinted here with permission.
I saw Mark and it was a heavy emotional experience.
He is awake, aware of his amputation, a little medicated but running through the emotions with amazing resolve and strength.
He asked a lot about other people and was very touched with all the support. It was a strain to speak after nine days with a tube in his throat.
They brought him the lung exerciser where you breath in and make the yellow ball rise. Mark took to it like a workout. They asked for 10 reps an hour; he did 10 sets in 30 minutes until his mom and I took it away from him. But I saw his desire to start therapy, to get going, to take control of his life again right there.
He got tired and started to drift. There was this sadness below the surface but great resolve about him.
As he fell asleep I couldn't help but lean forward and kiss his forehead. As I left, I was a bit startled at my own gesture. I am not "Captain Affection" by any means. Hell, it has taken me 15 years to get used to all the hugging Southerners are so comfortable with.
As I drove, I was still thinking about it. I kept recalling the end of the movie "Patton." George C. Scott as Patton finds a wounded and battle-weary lieutenant resting against a disabled tank. After the young officer briefs him, Patton is so moved that he leans forward and kisses him on the forehead.
There it was. I had gone to the hospital to be a source of encouragement and strength to Mark. I planned to be calm, rational and encouraging ... in coach mode really. For 15 years that is what I have preached. "Obstacles are just things to overcome." "Life will be hard, accept it and press on," etc.
But here he was really fighting the fight. Leaning up against his disabled tank. The pain of his experience just below the surface but this resolve that he would soon return to the fight ... no matter how terrible and demanding.
Funny, the moments where we see the beauty in this world.
Coach Reape
Coach Vougar