A wild story came out of New Jersey High School Wrestling over the weekend when Anthony Knox Jr., No. 1-ranked 126-pound wrestler in the country, was detained after a fight involving his father and other fans in a district tournament.
While his short -lived future in the sport has been affected, the long -term is another story for Knox.
Knox had already won his match in the NJ District 25 Wrestling Tournament at Collingswood High School, which pushed him down the road to win his fourth straight state title in his weight class.
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Anthony Knox (SJV) Tf. Braden Jones 3:53 (21-6) Delarton Defeats St. John Vianney 47-17 in the semi-final round of ASB Catholic Duals at Christian Brothers Academy on January 4, 2025. (IMagn)
After the 190 pound final, however, a fight started in the stands that saw Anthony Knox Sr. In the middle of it. His son was seen in video footage of Brawl that sprinted up the bleaching machines to participate in.
When the dust sat down, both Knox Sr. and Knox Jr. arrested, according to Jersey Sports Zone.
Knox Jr. Has since been disqualified from participating in the State Tournament in Atlantic City, but his future at Cornell University, the school, he committed to as the next step in his wrestling career, came in doubt.
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Mike Gray, Cornell’s wrestling coach, told NJ.com that he had a “tough conversation” with Knox Jr. and that he will still fight for the university in the future.
It may not come next season when the report added that Knox has discussed taking a year off before he signed up for 2026-27.
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) released a statement of KNOX and explained their decision to disqualify him from the state tournament.
“Earlier today, I informed Saint John Vianney High School Administration that the student-athlete-wrestling in the 126-pound weight class has been disqualified from NJSIAA WRESTLING STATE TORNNENT,” NJSIA’s CEO Colleen Maguire said in a statement to Pakinomist Digital.
“The disqualification was the result of my investigation of an incident that took place on Saturday, February 22, 2025, in the district tournament, which hosted the Collingswood High School. I have decided that the disqualified student athlete violated both the association’s sports development policy and its disqualification rule to leave the bench area during an altarcation.
St. John Vianney’s Anthony Knox controls Paul VI’s Owen Gardner under the 126 pound bout of the final round of District 25 Wrestling Tournament held at Collingswood High School on Saturday 22 February 2025. Knox defeated Gardner 17-2. (IMagn)
“I would like to thank the administrators and coaches from our member schools and the spectators who provided written statements and videos to help the investigation. I would also like to thank the security staff’s security and Collingswood Police Department for their effective handling of this incident, which enabled the tournament to be completed without further event.
“I did not make this decision easily. I am fully aware of the consequences for the student athlete. He is a senior and this disqualification effectively ends his high school career. However, my role is to maintain the integrity of high school letness by ensuring that all participants comply with the same rules and are kept to the same standards of sporting and security.
“Let it be clear, the association cannot and will not condolate actions that violate its sporting policy or its membership school -approved rules.”
Knox Jr. also released a statement on Instagram.
“Like many of you know, I’ve been disqualified from my next two matches due to an unfortunate incident that took place in the stands at Collingswood HS well after I finished competing in the district tournament,” Knox Jr. “Wrote as anyone, my only concern was at the time protecting my family’s safety. While I respect NJSIA’s decision, my family and at the moment I go through our family and at the moment to determine the best of our best to determine the best of the best to determine the best of our best to determine the best of our best to determine our best to our family and our family and at the moment to determine the best of our best to determine the best of our best to determine the best of the best to determine the best of our best to determine the opportunity to determine the best to determine the best of our best to determine the best of all our family and our family. course of action that goes on.
Anthony Knox (SJV) p. Hunter drills: 21. John Vianney Wrestling defeats the southern regional 33-27 in Holmdel, New Jersey, January 8, 2025. (IMagn)
“I am disappointed in this result, but am still happy and grateful for the opportunities I have had. L is required to support my teammates who still represent our school and wrestling sports with the same passion and dedication that got us here. Whatever happens, I will continue to train, compete and push myself to be the best wrestler and person as I can be as I continue my career at Cornell University.
“Thank you all for your continued love and support. It really means the world to me. I’m more motivated than ever and excited to prove to everyone what I already know I’m the best there is.”
