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Chance Marsteller pleads guilty, will return to school


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Chance Marsteller, the fallen Kennard-Dale High School wrestling star, pleaded guilty to one count of open lewdness and six counts of simple assault on Thursday at the Clinton County courthouse in Lock Haven.

The open lewdness count is a third-degree misdemeanor while the simple assault charges are second-degree misdemeanors.

Sentencing has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Feb. 13.

Marsteller said Thursday that he will return to Lock Haven University on Monday as a student. He said he remains hopeful to rejoin to the Lock Haven wrestling team in the 2017-18 academic year.

“He’s been accepted (to the school),” his attorney, Ryan C. Gardner, said following the court hearing.

Marsteller has requested a plea agreement that would include seven years of court supervision and an intensive probationary period, according to Gardner.

That period would include Marsteller reporting to the district probation department twice a week as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation and counseling.

“I am certain the judge will impose that,” Gardner said. In addition, Marsteller likely will be required to complete community service.

According to Lock Haven District Attorney David Strouse, Marsteller will address the court at his sentencing. Strouse added that one of the victims, police officer Bryan Burger, is not expected to address the court unless he disagrees with the plea agreement.

Last August, Marsteller was accused of kicking, spitting and biting at police officers after they were called to Evergreen Commons, an apartment complex near Lock Haven University, where he was a student. According to court documents, Marsteller had a blood alcohol content that was more than three times the legal limit for driving, and also had marijuana and cocaine in his system.

Marsteller had been banging on apartment doors while wearing only a towel, according to the Lock Haven Police Department. He was dismissed from the wrestling team as a result of the allegations.

He was charged with six counts of aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, disorderly conduct/fighting, six counts of recklessly endangering another, six counts of simple assault, one count of open lewdness and public intoxication, according to court documents.

Days following the incident, Marsteller posted $50,000 bail and returned home to Fawn Grove in southern York County.

The four-time state wrestling champion held a 166-0 record at Kennard-Dale and was the No. 1 high school recruit in the country before graduating in 2014. Marsteller originally attended Oklahoma State University on a wrestling scholarship before transferring to Lock Haven last May.

As he returns to Lock Haven as a student this semester, he said he is hopeful to return to the wrestling team in the 2017-18 academic year. Marsteller said he has two years of wrestling eligibility remaining. He sat out his first year at Oklahoma State in 2015 before taking the mat as a redshirt freshman last year.

Marsteller said he’s been in contact with the Lock Haven wrestling program and has seen his former team at recent tournaments where Marsteller has competed.

Since returning home, Marsteller also has been a volunteer assistant coach with the Kennard-Dale junior high school wrestling team and said he plans to return to coach the team in a tournament later this winter.

Gardner said he was hopeful Marsteller's work as a volunteer assistant would contribute to his community service requirements.

“The outpouring of support from the wrestling community has been overwhelming,” Gardner said.

Gardner added that Marsteller was thankful for his family support. Marsteller was accompanied in the court room by four others, including his mother, Suzanne.

Marsteller stood up straight throughout his hearing and addressed Judge Michael Salisbury with, "Yes, sir," "Yes, your honor."

When asked what can be accomplished by Marsteller returning to Lock Haven, Gardner said: "I think it’s part of his recovery….A chance to show everyone why he went there and what he looked to accomplish initially.”