By Michael Hicks
Berthoud Recorder

Two Berthoud High School wrestlers were suspended after being accused of a series of alleged ongoing hazing incidents, according to school athletic director Rusty Mathena.

According to wrestling coach Scott Pickert, Seniors Brandyn Wahlert and Saul Anderson were suspended — one for five days and the other for 10. The suspensions were handed down Dec. 15, added Mathena.

“They had some disciplinary problems at the school,” Pickert said.

Neither Mathena nor Pickert would discuss the nature of the incidents, but an investigation is ongoing. Berthoud High Principal Leonard Sherman said there was more than one incident on school property with one being “more serious than the other” and there was more than one victim.

According to Sherman, the Berthoud Police Department was notified of the incident. A report was filed by Officer Pablo Vazquez, the school’s resource officer two weeks ago, and the investigation is still in progress. Vazquez is out of town and was unavailable for comment.

“They’ll probably be taken some action as well,” Sherman said of the police department. “Anytime something happens like this at school, or a crime someplace else involving students, it is still a crime.”

Additional penalties are forthcoming, but neither Mathena nor Pickert would discuss what they were. However, Pickert said that further disciplinary action pertaining to their athletic status had been determined. Those penalties, said Mathena, will go into effect after the accused wrestlers have served their academic suspensions.

Pickert said that more athletes were involved in the incidents. However, according to Mathena, further academic disciplinary action isn’t expected.

“I don’t know at this point, but I don’t think it’s likely. But I wouldn’t rule it out,” Mathena said. “Additional kids being suspended I doubt will happen.”

Pickert said that both Wahlert and Anderson are expected to be back with the wrestling team later this season. The Spartans don’t return to action again until Jan. 8 when they travel to Longmont for a dual match with Silver Creek High School.