A concerning situation has emerged at Liberty High School in Peoria, Arizona, as a growing number of former wrestlers are alleging sexualized hazing within the school's wrestling program. These allegations involve incidents that reportedly occurred over several years, prompting investigations by both the Peoria Unified School District and the Peoria Police Department.
Liberty High School in Peoria, Arizona. Image source: azfamily.com
Former Wrestlers Come Forward
Among those who have come forward are two brothers, Ryder and Rex Fortenberry, both accomplished athletes who previously achieved recognition in the state wrestling tournament. The brothers decided to leave the Liberty team after their family reported concerns about athlete misconduct to school officials.
"It was multiple situations over the course of the years that we were on the high school team," Ryder Fortenberry said. "It wasn't just me and my brother; it was other kids that were victims to what happened."
Reopened Investigations and Administrative Leave
Both the Peoria Unified School District and Peoria Police Department had previously investigated some of the claims, but both reopened their investigations this school year. The team's head wrestling coach, Eric Brenton, is currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of the district's investigation.
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Police lights. Image for illustrative purposes.
Legal Action and Further Allegations
The Fortenberrys' attorney said he plans to file a notice of claim against the district, Coach Brenton, and the Liberty High School athletic director in the coming days. A different attorney representing three other former wrestlers, who do not want to be publicly identified, filed a notice of claim earlier this month. The claim alleges members of the Liberty wrestling team were subjected to "sexual hazing, sexual harassment and attempted or actual sexual assault by fellow team members."
The lawyer said wrestlers were forcibly stripped naked, and in other instances, athletes pushed their genitalia into other wrestlers' faces.
Details of the Alleged Hazing
Several former athletes told the ABC15 Investigators that the alleged hazing happened in the wrestling room at Liberty High School and on team trips.
In 2024, Coach Brenton denied knowledge of hazing when questioned by school district officials. ABC15 reached out to Brenton several times since August, and he had deferred comment to the school district spokesperson.
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Key Individuals Involved
Here is a summary of the key individuals and entities involved in the case:
| Name/Entity | Role/Involvement |
|---|---|
| Ryder and Rex Fortenberry | Former Liberty High School wrestlers, alleging hazing. |
| Eric Brenton | Head wrestling coach, currently on administrative leave. |
| Peoria Unified School District | Conducting an investigation into the allegations. |
| Peoria Police Department | Reopened investigations into the claims. |
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