Following his controversial season debut at the Saydel Invitational on Saturday, the Roland-Story school district and the Blume family reached an agreement that junior wrestler and two-time defending state champion Kade Blume would not participate in extracurriculars for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year. Blume, who placed 1st in the tournament at Saydel, was charged with felony assault on November 3rd stemming from an incident on New Years’ Day 2022, where Blume allegedly stripped the victim and shoved a pencil into the victim’s anus.
Blume was issued a suspension by the Roland-Story school district soon thereafter, as he was in violation of the district’s Code of Conduct. That suspension ended on Friday, December 9th. Following Blume’s performance in the Saydel Invitational, the cries of outrage and frustration grew on social media and in the Roland-Story community, culminating in the resignation of a Roland-Story school board member in Monday’s school board meeting.
Controversy further arose as it was assumed that Blume would wrestle in the 50th annual Jim Kinyon Invitational on Saturday at Roland-Story High School. Rumors were swirling that wrestling cheerleaders who did not stay on the mat for Blume’s matches would be subject to punishment, possibly even dismissal from the squad. The Roland-Story school district released a statement on Thursday morning clarifying that would not be the case.
Following the release of the statement, it was announced via social media, that the Knoxville High School wrestling team would withdraw from the Jim Kinyon Invitational, instead electing to compete at a tournament at Iowa City Regina. The Knoxville School District stated the move was made over concerns that Blume would wrestle on Saturday. Just a couple of hours later, the Roland-Story school district announced the Blume would not be wrestling this weekend in the Jim Kinyon Invitational and expressed disappointment that Knoxville would not be in attendance. The day’s events would then come to a culmination with the release that Blume would not compete in extracurriculars for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year.
Roland-Story’s home wrestling dual for Thursday night was postponed due to winter weather, and the Jim Kinyon Invitational will start Saturday morning at 10 AM in Story City, KQWC will be there with coverage throughout the afternoon. KQWC Radio has also put in a request to interview a member of the Roland-Story administration, when appropriate, to discuss the case itself and its handling.