Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 1:31 p.m. Monday, April 15 to include additional reporting.
After missing a meet last week, a standout Meridian High School track athlete participated in a Saturday, April 13 invitational at Cashmere High School, following a CDN investigation that showed he has been allowed to compete despite felony rape and perjury charges.
Jase Klinkhammer, 18, did not compete at a scheduled Lynden Christian track meet Thursday, April 11 — the first meet he had missed this season.
Meridian School District declined to confirm or explain Klinkhammer’s absence from the competition on Thursday. Director of Public Relations Lisa Gilchrist said, “As previously stated, due to student confidentiality laws, we cannot comment on a specific student or situation.”
Klinkhammer was arrested on March 4 by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and charged with one count of second-degree rape and one count of making misleading statements to a public servant, after he allegedly raped a 16-year-old in December 2023, according to court documents.
Klinkhammer — a two-time 1A boys track and field champion — currently leads Class 1A statewide in the 100- and 200-meter dash events, and he is third in the 400-meter dash, according to athletic.net’s rankings.
Previously, Klinkhammer had competed at every high school track competition in March, winning multiple events. The Meridian School District would not respond to questions about whether Klinkhammer had faced any disciplinary action or if a Title IX investigation had been opened.
“Due to student confidentiality laws, we are unable to provide more information … It is our primary focus to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all students,” Gilchrist wrote. “As always, we encourage students who have concerns to speak with a trusted adult or report their concern through our safety tip line.”
In mid-March, Klinkhammer had been temporarily suspended from national-level competition sponsored through USA Track and Field and USA Volleyball.
Klinkhammer was accused of raping a 16-year-old girl on Dec. 20, according to court documents. During his interview with Whatcom County Sheriff deputies, he said he was at home at the time of the sexual assault. Klinkhammer signed a document stating he believed he was telling the truth to law enforcement.
Snapchat location data later revealed he was at the location of the assault during the time period, according to court documents.
Meridian athletes must sign a code of conduct that states a student will be “immediately suspended” from activities for 14 days — including a minimum of two contests — upon violation of a list of rules, one of which is committing “no unlawful acts,” according to the district’s Co-Curricular Code of Conduct.
Meridian High School students must also adhere to the student handbook, which lays out offenses that could result in consequences if violated. Sexual assault is considered a major offense that could result in loss of privileges, detention or suspension.
According to Meridian School District’s 2023-24 sexual harassment and sexual violence procedure, when an allegation of sexual harassment is made against a student in the form of a complaint, the district’s Title IX coordinator will initiate an investigation. During that time, the person accused of sexual harassment is not presumed responsible until the end of the process.
Disciplinary sanctions, such as suspension, may not be imposed until the end of the process if the person is found responsible, according to the policy, which mirrors model policy set forth by the Washington State School Directors’ Association. However, the district can remove a student from school on an emergency basis if that student poses a danger to the school community.
Sports editor Connor J. Benintendi contributed to this story.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
