5 Fallon wrestlers accused of hazing teammate in Las Vegas

Associated Press

Friday, Jan. 14, 2011 | 6:43 p.m.

Five Churchill County High School wrestlers have been accused of hazing a teammate by stripping and urinating on him during a December trip to a Las Vegas tournament.

The 15-year-old was asleep when he was stripped and locked outside his hotel room on Dec. 3, Las Vegas police spokeswoman Barbara Morgan told the Lahontan Valley News of Fallon.

She said when he returned to his room, he was urinated on. The team was in Las Vegas for the Green Valley Duals on Dec. 3-4.

It was up to the alleged victim to decide whether to press charges. "We're in close contact with him and (waiting to) see what he wants to do," Morgan said.

The incidence was first reported by KRNV-TV of Reno.

Fallon Police Chief Kevin Gehman said his department handed over findings of its investigation to Las Vegas police because the incident occurred there. His department interviewed all six teens involved.

District Superintendent Carolyn Ross and Churchill High Principal Kevin Lords referred inquiries about the incident to Sharla Hales, the district's attorney.

Hales said she could not comment on whether the students suspected of hazing were punished because disciplinary matters are confidential.

School board President Rich Gent said the board was notified of the incident but not immediately provided with full details. He said Churchill High coaches will receive anti-hazing training from the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association.

NIAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine said the program does not face any disciplinary action from his organization and any measures taken would be handed down from the district.

It was the third such reported incident in the last eight months in the region.

In September, Hug High School of Reno forfeited a game due to hazing of freshmen players. In May, South Tahoe softball coach Anneliese Neitling required eight players who struck out in a game to drink soda out of a shoe.

She later resigned.