Wrestling hazing

The investigation continues into allegations that a sports initiation went too far at Asheboro High School. Criminal charges are pending against nine athletes and their former coach.

"There were nine students who were charged on this criminal summons for assault and battery," said Asheboro police Chief Gary Mason, "and the coach was charged with aiding and abetting."

Police got involved when parents complained about a possible incident involving the wrestling team with upper classmen initiating freshmen.

"It just involved them being taped up and put in some compromising positions," said Mason. "Some of them would be construed as sexual positions."

"Anytime there's an event at the school that has been brought to our attention, we'll investigate and take appropriate action," said Asheboro Schools spokeswoman Carla Freemeyer.

The coach wasn't home Tuesday when News 14 Carolina tried to talk to him.

School officials meanwhile say they are trying to minimize disruptions.

"We want to keep the focus on teaching and learning," said Freemeyer. "As a parent with a student at the high school, I think it's pretty much business as usual."

But the parent of one ninth-grade student told News 14 Carolina, "It's been a circus and it needs to end. These are young men who made a mistake and it's affected the whole wrestling team."

"We're not dealing with the most serious of crimes," added Mason, "but I think it went too far, and I think they got a little carried away and some inappropriate things were done."

Police have confiscated cell phone photos and video as evidence. Freemeyer says the school system will try to learn from the incident and do a better job so there won't be a next time.

North Carolina has a hazing law but hazing charges weren't filed in the case. The statute says that physical injury has to occur for those charges to be covered.