Clovis, Calif. (KMPH News) – A Buchanan High School wrestler will go to trial this week for sexual assault.
17–year–old Preston Hill is also facing expulsion for using a controversial wrestling move on a freshman teammate.It’s called the “butt grab” in which the wrestler grabs his opponent’s bottom to execute a move.
“It’s a clean, perfectly legal wrestling move,” Former Fresno State Wrestling Coach Dennis DeLiddo said.
But, Ross Rice says Hill went too far during practice over the summer. And his son had to be treated by a doctor.
“The move itself may be legal, but it’s not necessarily what was done,” Rice said. “I think [Hill] got my son down on the ground, used what ever tactics he needed to violate my son and then his fall back was…I used a butt drag on him.”
Hill is accused of putting two fingers in the anus of his 14–year old opponent.
“Giving someone a wedgie once in a while… is that a bad thing? It could be, but I think when you violate someone as this kid did, that’s crossing the line,” Rice said.
An expulsion hearing is scheduled for January.
A criminal trial on the sexual assault charge is scheduled for Thursday in Juvenile Department of Fresno County Superior Court.
“I’m convinced Preston is going to be exonerated in court and we are confident the expulsion process will be in his favor,” Hill’s Attorney Charles Magill said. “He does not deny he was wrestling with the young man. He does not deny that he grabbed him from behind. He denies that he stuck his fingers up the anal orifice to such degree that the young man was feeling pain from it.”
Hill’s Attorney argues that none of the coaches saw any wrong doing during practice. And that the victim did not report it to an adult.
The victim’s father says his son did not report it because he was embarrassed, but he did tell him mother as soon as he got home.
