BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A top track athlete at Meridian High School is accused of rape but is still being allowed to compete.
Court documents state that 18-year-old senior Jase Klinkhammer was accused of forcing a 16-year-old to engage in oral sex in December 2023. Klinkhammer also faces an added charge of making false statements to an officer.
Klinkhammer claimed that he was at a friend’s house during the alleged incident, but his Snapchat geolocation data showed that he was at the house at the time the victim claims he raped them.
Klinkhammer was arrested on March 4, but was released on bail about 12 hours later. The track and field star helped win four events for the Trojans at the Burlington-Edison track meet nine days after his arrest.
KGMI previously reported on his arrest, but Cascadia Daily News first reported his status as a student-athlete.
Klinkhammer won the 1A state title in the 400 meter last season and placed second in two other events. He was suspended from participating in nationally governed USA Track and Field events on March 11 due to “allegations of misconduct.”
Meridian School District Director of Public Relations Lisa Gilchrist says the district cannot comment on a specific student of situation due to student confidentiality laws. She referenced the district’s Co-Curricular Code of Conduct, which states that the continued eligibility for students involved in criminal offenses will be subject to a review by a committee of faculty members. The district’s procedure for sexual harassment of students states that the district’s designated Title IX Coordinator will trigger an investigation into alleged sexual assaults. It adds that the accused party is presumed not responsible until a decision is made at the end of the investigation and that they cannot have any disciplinary sanctions against them until they are found guilty.
Klinkhammer pled not guilty to both charges on March 15.
He has a status hearing scheduled on May 1 and trial set for May 28.
Klinkhammer’s attorney has not responded for comment.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic/sexual violence, call 800-656-HOPE (4673) to reach the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
