Investigation Underway
A Lexington High School football player suffered significant burns to his hands while performing bear crawls on the school track, according to a report from Avita Health System.
The injury was brought to the attention of local law enforcement by a nurse practitioner employed at Avita Health System, who filed a formal report with the police department.
Sgt. Eric Wendling has been assigned to oversee the investigation, while Lt. Brett Neuenschwander declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the case.
Lexington Football Coach Andrew Saris did not respond to requests for comment, leaving many questions unanswered.
Past Allegations Resurface
The incident echoes a previous controversy from August 2024, when former health and physical education teacher and assistant coach Jim Steele was charged with a first‑degree misdemeanor after a sophomore was forced to do push‑ups on hot asphalt during a heat advisory.
Prosecutors ultimately dismissed the case after the student requested the matter be dropped, a detail that adds complexity to the current scrutiny of coaching methods.
School officials and community members are now calling for a review of athletic training protocols to prevent future injuries, as the investigation continues.