Wrestling champ ‘repeatedly’ punched a minor in head during ugly brawl, police say

The Collingswood police officer who filed the complaint against St. John Vianney wrestler Anthony Knox, Jr. said he witnessed the three-time state champion “proceeded to punch (a minor) about the face and head repeatedly” during a brawl on Feb. 22 at Collingswood High School.

The officer stated the blows from “Knox resulted in bruising and pain to the right temple area” of the juvenile, whose name was redacted, according to a court summons obtained by NJ Advance Media.

Knox was charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct on Tuesday.

In the complaint the officer states Knox “purposely, knowing or recklessly caused bodily injury to a juvenile,” adding that the wrestler “did enter the opposing team’s designated section of the gymnasium bleachers.”

In an event that has gripped the New Jersey sports world, videos show Knox charged into the crowd and appeared to have thrown punches during the District 25 Tournament after his father, Anthony Knox Sr., confronted fans from an opposing team.

A brawl with approximately two dozen persons ensued. Both Knox Sr. and Knox Jr. were pictured in handcuffs after the fight was quelled by Collingswood police and school security.

St. John Vianney released a statement Tuesday afternoon stating the school “is closely monitoring the case against Anthony Knox Jr., as it has come before the Superior Court of New Jersey.”

The release added the school “will continue to cooperate fully with any investigation and will comply with the decision of the Court as it relates to the student’s future athletic activities.”

St. John Vianney concluded the statement by noting: “We will make no further comment about Mr. Knox, Jr. until the Court and law enforcement processes have concluded.”

St. John Vianney was named as a defendant in the suit filed by Knox Jr. and his family last week.

Knox, who is attempting to become only the fifth, four-time state champion in New Jersey wrestling history, was awarded the No. 1 seed on Tuesday in the NJSIAA/IBEW Local 102 State championships, which begins Thursday in Atlantic City.

Knox won his fourth regional championship in decisive fashion last weekend. However, after receiving his first-place medal, he left the building and did not show for pictures on the podium with the three other placewinners or a champions photo.

Knox Jr. declined to speak with reporters throughout the Region 7 event. The Knox family has not responded to multiple requests for comment from NJ Advance Media.

New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Executive Director Colleen Maguire disqualified Knox from the remainder of the wrestling postseason days after the brawl. In a scathing statement, she said, “Let it be clear, the Association cannot, and will not, condone actions that violate its sportsmanship policy or its member school approved rules.”

Knox filed and successfully won a temporary restraining order of the disqualification in Mercer County Superior Court. The decision was released only hours before the start of the Region 7 tournament.

Judge Patrick Bartels, who ruled in favor of Knox last week, heard additional oral arguments Tuesday at 3:15 p.m., and a ruling on the NJSIAA’s motion for a stay pending appeal is expected.

The losing party of that ruling has the option to escalate the case to the appellate division on Wednesday, a day before the wrestling championships begin in Atlantic City.

The NJSIAA’s Executive Committee, the New Jersey Directors of Athletics Association and Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) have come out in full support of the NJSIAA attempting to enforce its sportsmanship rules.

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

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