A former wrestler at Glacier High School in Kalispell, Mont., has filed a lawsuit in Yellowstone County District Court against the Kalispell School District for negligence following an alleged sexual assault four years ago.
As reported by Missoula CBS affiliate KPAX via the Montana Television Network, the plaintiff alleges he was sexually assaulted and harassed in a hotel room by fellow wrestlers during a wrestling team trip to Billings in 2022.
Court documents state there are videos of the alleged assault.
The former wrestler is suing the Kalispell School District, Glacier wrestling's former head coach, and Glacier High School's former athletic director for negligence during that trip.
Plaintiff's attorney Avery Field told MTN on Thursday that the lawsuit is not just seeking damages for their plaintiff, but about making sure "students in the future aren't subject to similar situations.”
“We want students to be safe at school,” Field said. “We want parents to know that their students are safe when they send them to school and we just want the truth to come out of what occurred.”
Kalispell Schools Superintendent Matt Jensen provided MTN the following statement:
“These new allegations are linked to the same 2022 student wrestling incident in Billings, Montana. At that time, the school took appropriate disciplinary action, holding the students involved accountable. We disagree with the allegations and look forward to the opportunity to present our position in court. We will continue to cooperate fully with the legal process. We also stand firmly behind the integrity and professionalism of the coaches and administrators named, whose actions and dedication to students should not be in question.”
A trial date has not yet been scheduled for this case.
