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Β GASTONIA, NC — Taking the stand, former wrestling coach Scott Goins described a team culture of horseplay and hazing, not sexual abuse. Β He pushed back against claims made by several former wrestlers.
The former East Gaston High coach faces nearly two-dozen sex charges. Β Three accusers say Goins touched them inappropriately and forced them to perform sex acts. Β Most of the alleged incidents happened in the late 1990s.
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Monday, Goins told jurors the wrestlers’ stories were inconsistent and exaggerated. Β “Did you ever threaten any of these wrestlers, ‘You gotta do this or you’re gonna get beat down.’ Β Anything like that?” the defense attorney asked. Β Goins replied, “Absolutely not.”
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He admits on a camping trip, older wrestlers hazed younger ones and forced them to simulate a sex act. Β But Goins says he was not involved. Β
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“Once that trip was over, did any of those wrestlers come to you and go, ‘You know I didn’t agree with that,’ or bring it to your attention at all?” the defense attorney asked. Β “No sir,” Goins replied.
