Say Anything Blog

ND NEWS

This out of Minot (ND) about a star high school wrestler who beat up a liquor store clerk until she gave him back his fake I.D.

The Forum A five-time state champion wrestler and North Dakota State recruit accused of assault will be able to attend his high school graduation, despite an earlier order by a judge that Kenneth Haugen be jailed during the ceremony.

Northwest District Judge Douglas Mattson has signed an amended judgment that allows Haugen to be released from jail for 21/2 hours on May 22, the day of Bishop Ryan High School's commencement.

During graduation, Haugen will be escorted by a third person who is not a member of his family. That person must be approved by the court.

Haugen pleaded guilty in March to misdemeanor charges of misrepresentation of age and simple assault. He was ordered to serve 10 days in jail starting May 20, the last day of classes.

Authorities said Haugen tried to buy alcohol at the Grog Shop in Minot last Sept. 5, and assaulted the clerk who confiscated a fake identification card. Police said a security videotape showed Haugen knocked down the clerk and struck her until he had retrieved the card

I guess this has been an ongoing news story up in Minot throughout the year as this kid wrestled his way to another state championship again this season. I wonder if they say he wrestles like a 21-year old?

My problem with all of this lies in the actions of NDSU. They are allowing him to wrestle next year and I am assuming (hopefully correctly) that he will be on scholarship. It doesn't sit well with me that a kid who didn't beat up a liquor store clerk is going to be passed over for a limited number of scholarships for someone who did beat up on a female liquor store clerk. Perhaps someone can confirm or refute whether or not he gets a scholarship.