Disqualified! 3-time state wrestling champ out of tourney following ugly brawl

One of the greatest wrestlers in state history has been booted days before his chance at history.

Anthony Knox, a three-time state champion was disqualified from the NJSIAA Wrestling tournament on Tuesday for his involvement in a brawl that took place in the bleachers at the District 25 Tournament at Collingswood on Saturday.

In a scathing statement, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, announced the historic disqualification, citing violation of its ‘sportsmanship policy’ as well as its ‘disqualification rule for leaving the bench area during an altercation.’ While not directly naming Knox, the statement refers to St. John Vianney’s 126-pounder.

“I did not make this decision lightly,” NJSIAA Executive Director Colleen Maguire said in the statement. “I am fully aware of the consequences to the student-athlete. He is a senior and this disqualification effectively ends his high school career. However, my role is to uphold the integrity of high school athletics by ensuring that all participants adhere to the same rules and are held to the same standards of sportsmanship and safety.

“Let it be clear, the Association cannot, and will not, condone actions that violate its sportsmanship policy or its member school approved rules.”

Knox was aiming to become just the fifth grappler in state history to win four state titles and was considered the prohibitive favorite at 126 pounds.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Knox was originally seeded atop the 126-pound bracket in Region 7. The NJSIAA statement says the bracket will now be reseeded.

As first reported by NJ.com, Knox’s father, Anthony Knox, Sr., was seen being led to a police vehicle in handcuffs after his involvement in the fight on Saturday.

Eyewitness video has emerged that has appeared to show Knox, the wrestler, dashing into the stands after his father. From there, video shows the younger Knox appearing to throw punches in the stands, and a separate video depicts Knox being led away by police in handcuffs.

By NJSIAA rule, “any player that leaves the bench area during an altercation, regardless of whether the player engages in the altercation, shall be disqualified.”

The Collingswood Police Department is still investigating the incident in collaboration with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, according to Collingswood police chief Kevin Carey.

Knox, arguably the best high school wrestler in state history, is the No. 1-ranked wrestler at his weight in the nation. Knox is committed to Cornell University — one of the top-ranked wrestling programs in the nation.

A live streamed video of the event that has since been taken down from Collingswood Public School district’s YouTube page, showed a man believed to be Knox Sr., wearing a white tank top leaving his seat in the bleachers, walking across the gym floor and re-entering the crowd on the other side of the scorer’s table. School security and police entered the bleachers moments later.

The man believed to be Knox Sr. confronted other spectators, igniting the massive brawl involving roughly a dozen people.

Collingswood athletic director Colleen Harte on Saturday told NJ Advance Media two people were arrested. At least one athlete was involved in the fight she said. While Harte declined to provide names of the persons arrested, Knox Sr., was seen being led away in handcuffs, according to a photo from the incident and witnesses.

An online photo appeared Saturday with Knox Sr. in handcuffs next to a police vehicle.

Knox Sr., returned a text to NJ Advance Media Saturday night declining comment on the incident. Subsequent calls have not been returned. St. John Vianney coach Chris Notte declined to comment when reached Tuesday.

In a statement released Tuesday night, St. John Vianney “acknowledges the seriousness of the situation ... and does not condone violence of any kind and this incident is not indicative of what the school or wrestling program stands for.”

“Saint John Vianney High School Administration respects the decision ... and will fully abide by the repercussions and recommendations set forth by the NJSIAA,” the statement said.

Prior to the incident at Collingswood, Knox Jr., won his fourth district title.

Knox has a career high school record of 136-1, winning 123 consecutive bouts. His only loss came during his freshman season when he lost to Zac Jacaruso, then a senior at Delaware Valley (Pa.) High School. Zacaruso scored a 6-4 victory in overtime.

In December, Knox Jr., was named the Outstanding Wrestler at the prestigious Beast of the East Tournament at the University of Delaware. In the championship bout, Knox defeated Bethlehem Catholic’s Keanu Dillard — a junior world medalist, a two-time Pennsylvania state champion, a Lehigh commit and the No. 6 ranked wrestler at his weight in the country. Knox defeated him, 13-3.

Knox has excelled at offseason tournaments like Super 32, which he has won three times. He became USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week after becoming the first wrestler to ever win four matches at Who’s No. 1 and has also been a Fargo champion.

St. John Vianney was one of the finest wrestling teams in New Jersey this winter. The Lancers were 13-5 and was ranked No. 6 in the NJ.com Top 20.

NJ Advance Media staff reporter Bill Evans contributed to this story.

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Joe Zedalis covers Shore Conference football for NJ.com. He can be reached at jzedalis@njadvancemedia.com.

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