Park City tennis coach charged after physical encounter with player

PARK CITY, Utah — A Park City High School girls tennis coach is facing criminal charges after an argument with a player became physical.

According to court documents, Lani Wilcox, 62, was charged Friday in Summit County’s Third District Court. She was charged with one count of aggravated child abuse, a third-degree felony. Wilcox was also charged with damage to or interruption of a communication device, a class B misdemeanor. 

On Aug. 29, according to court documents, Wilcox and a member of the tennis team got into a dispute over the player’s role on the team. 

The argument quickly escalated, according to court documents. It is alleged that Wilcox got into the player’s face. It is also alleged that when that occurred the player slapped Wilcox in the face. Wilcox then allegedly grabbed the player, putting her in a choke hold, the court documents state.

While in the choke hold, Wilcox allegedly took the player to the ground. Court documents state the player was unable to breathe while on the ground. 

Court documents further state that once the player was able to escape from the chokehold, she grabbed her cell phone and told the Park City tennis coach she was going to call the police.

Wilcox then allegedly grabbed the player’s phone and walked away.

KSL.com reports the player was charged in juvenile court with two counts of assault.

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