Wrestling Coach Cleared

A Meeker High School coach, who admitted grabbing one of his wrestlers by the crotch during a practice session, was cleared of assault charges.

Mike Tate, the wrestling coach, was accused of lifting Steven Whalin by his genitals.

Tate admitted in testimony that he grabbed Whalin during a practice last season, but said “it was not my intention to grab his testicles.”

Tate said he didn’t immediately realize what part of Whalin’s anatomy he was holding, “and when I realized I had more than his pelvis, I let him go.”