"Sportsmanship, teamwork, and hard work are at the core of our work with our wrestlers," Coach Rich Gildner said in a statement.
ROBBINSVILLE -- The wrestling coach Robbinsville High School responded to allegations of abuse and bullying from a former team wrestler Friday by saying his program seeks to develop young men of character - on and off the mat - who become good citizens.
"Sportsmanship, teamwork, and hard work are at the core of our work with our wrestlers," Coach Rich Gildner said in a statement.
"We have no tolerance for behavior that is inconsistent with these values," the statement concluded.
Gildner did not elaborate on his emailed statement.
On Thursday, NJ Advance Media reported allegations from a former wrestler that he suffered two seasons of regular beatings and intimidation from a fellow wrestler.
Braydon Mackey, a sophomore, told the Robbinsville school board Monday that he was beaten and bullied by Dylan James, a senior.
The latest attack occurred Dec. 5, following practice. James allegedly whipped Mackey with a rope in front of other teammates.
Mackey has since quit the team.
James was dismissed from the wrestling squad in December due to the incident and has appealed the punishment the school board, which held a closed hearing on the matter Wednesday night. No decision has been made public.
The Robbinsville police and Mercer County Prosecutor's Office are investigating the reported assault, but no criminal charges have been filed.
Robbinsville school officials previously confirmed a member of the wrestling team was disciplined, but declined further comment citing student confidentiality.
The matter became public Monday evening when James appeared at school board meeting and apologized for his actions and pleaded to be reinstated to the team.
After James spoke, 10 people spoke in his support, saying he's a good kid who deserved a second chance from a severe punishment.
Mackey also spoke, refuting characterizations that James' actions were just "messing around" and said he asked James several times to stop attacking him.
The comments at the meeting were in audio recording of the public session posted on the district's website. The recording was removed Friday morning.
Robbinsville schools Superintendent Steven J. Mayer said he removed the audio recording because, "I do not believe it is good for either student at this point to have it there."
Mayer said the minutes of the meeting are posted on the website as required.
At the Monday meeting, James said he's already learned from his punishment.
"At no time did I mean to be malicious or harmful, for I now see how my actions were construed and I cannot apologize enough," James said.
James and his father Ed James alluded to past behavior that Dylan James himself experienced, and Dylan James said if reinstated he would work to change the "culture of the wrestling program."
At one point, Ed James said of his son: "He thought he was messing around with a teammate. He did not use full force in what he was doing and he knows he was wrong. He made a terrible mistake."
Mackey took issue with that comment.
"I don't see messing around saying I'm going to beat you up," Mackey said. "I don't see messing around when freshman year I was beaten up and thrown into a box and things I didn't want to happen."
Mackey said he asked James several times why he was being targeted.
"If I ask you multiple times 'What did I ever do wrong to you?' and you just say you're just going to beat me up, I don't see where that comes to messing around or not malicious."
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
