“You need to find Toby,” is one of the first things a few members of the Salisbury wrestling team told The Press at the start of this year’s cornhole fundraising event Sept. 10.

So who’s Toby?

That would be Toby Linn, a senior, who has been wrestling for nearly 12 years.

Linn is much respected by his younger teammates for the simple reason he takes the time to mentor them, talk to them and teach them from his own experiences, both with wrestling and school.

“I try to be kind and hangout with them. It’s not always about wrestling. I try to cheer them on when needed,” he told The Press.

This idea of mentoring is not new for this wrestling team.

Ben Krauss, who graduated this past June, had a positive influence on many of this year’s wrestling team. Many expressed the fact he would take the time to look out for the younger wrestlers. Ben’s mother Erin Krauss helped organize this year’s cornhole fundraiser. Her younger son, Sam, a freshman at Salisbury High School, also is involved in the sport.

The Krauss brothers developed their love of wrestling from an older cousin. However, when they first expressed their intention to join Salisbury’s team, their mother was a little apprehensive. She told them “no crying on the mat. You will lose. You need to lose to become better.”

Erin Krauss made sure her sons understood with Salisbury being a smaller district, they would go against many bigger and stronger wrestlers, but that would in turn make them better athletes.

Daniel Hontz, a student at Salisbury Middle School, did not start with wrestling. He tried basketball first but decided being a wrestler was more his sport.

“I love the intensity of wrestling, the physicality,” he told The Press. His parents, Michelle and Bob Hontz, have been strong supporters of the wrestling team, often donating their time to help their son and his teammates.

“It’s hard to explain how tight we all are. We are so blessed,” Michelle Hontz said. She went on to explain how these athletes help each other all the time, whether at a tournament or at school.

How tight is the bond between these athletes? Tight enough for a former teammate who moved out of Salisbury to return to attend the fundraiser. Braedon Laper, who now attends Southern Lehigh School District, made a point to visit and support his old teammates.

“It was important for me to see my old coach and teammates. I’ve been friends with some of them for years. Toby (Linn) is my best friend so I wanted to come out today,” he explained.

Laper was just one of many who spent their Saturday at Emmaus Community Park to encourage the SMS/SHS students. According to Jacob Spinner, a student at SMS, “Last year, half of the people here showed up. It’s nice to see this support.”

Supporting these young athletes was what the cornhole tournament was about. Seventeen sponsors and 34 teams took part in this year’s event.

Then there’s the unsung hero. A few wrestlers told The Press they wanted Frank Guerra recognized. Guerra, of Jon Construction, gave $300 worth of raffles randomly to three different wrestlers. Humbled by the gratitude of the young athletes, he explained to The Press, “It’s a fundraiser. It’s for kids. That’s what it’s about today.”

These are athletes with dreams. Colton Tone, who attends SMS, wants to be as good as Ben Askren, one of the most successful professional American wrestlers.

For Chloe Sandeen, the only girl on the SMS/SHS wrestling team, she decided during the pandemic this was a sport she wanted to try out.

How is she doing? Pretty well considering that after only one year, she is being recruited by Cedar Crest College.

Sandeen is happy she is bending the gender norm. She is proving girls can participate in this sport but as she points out, there is a downside to that as well. “You are treated differently. There are maybe one or two other girls per tournament” she explained.

Coach Eric Snyder told The Press he is excited by the prospects of this upcoming season. The fundraiser’s turnout will not only hopefully spread the word about Salisbury’s wrestling team but the funds raised will help pay costs of hotels for the upcoming tournaments, as well as other things the students will need.

Snyder will be joined by a former Salisbury wrestler, Devon Adler, who graduated from SHS in 2020. Adler is excited to be involved with helping this season’s wrestlers. His words of advice to the team are to “stay humble. Whether you win or lose, you need to stay humble. There is always something to learn,” he told The Press.

The official start of the season is in November.

Any SMS/SHS student who is interested in joining the team should contact Snyder at d_t_a_141@yahoo.com or Monica Deeb at mdeeb@salisburysd.org.