Anthony Knox Jr., one of only five New Jersey high school wrestlers to win four individual state championships, had his fourth title stripped by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association earlier this month.
As reported by Joe Zedalis of NJ.com, an NJSIAA Controversies Committee determined Knox was in violation of its Sportsmanship Policy for his involvement in a well-documented brawl in February of 2025. A panel voted 8-0 to revoke Knox of his state championship and Region 7 title.
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Knox is believed to be the first New Jersey wrestler to have a state title taken away, Zedalis reported. He was found to have violated the NJSIAA Sportsmanship Policy when he left the bench area to participate in a brawl in the Collingswood High School bleachers during a district wrestling tournament on Feb. 22, 2025. The brawl also involved his father, Anthony Knox Sr.
NJSIAA rules prohibit athletes from leaving the bench area during an altercation.
According to Zedalis, the eight-member committee voted unanimously on three measures:
- That Knox punched spectators in the stands during the fight
- That Knox left the bench area
- That he is stripped of both the Region 7 and state championship won in 2025, his senior season
“We do not come to this conclusion lightly and understand that some may disagree with our revocation of the title won by Knox,” the NJSIAA wrote. “However, interscholastic sports are designed to do much more than support student athletic achievement. NJSIAA Rules reflect the fundamental goals of school athletics in supporting personal learning and growth.
“High school athletics are just as much about fostering teamwork, leadership and resilience as it is about winning titles given that these lessons will extend beyond sports field into each student’s academic and personal life. Athletics teach sportsmanship, cooperation and respect for others. Knox did not demonstrate those qualities at the tournament on Feb. 22, 2025.
“To maintain consistency in punishment and the integrity of our sports program, we find on a de novo review that Knox’s actions require disqualification and forfeiture under the NJSIAA rules.”
Knox Jr. was disqualified by the NJSIAA for the remainder of the postseason before the start of the Region 7 tournament, but the ruling was challenged in court, and Mercer County Superior Court judge Patrick J. Bartels ruled in the wrestler’s favor.
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Knox, described by Zedalis as arguably the most talented wrestler in state history, won his fourth state championship on March 8, 2025. He won state championships at 113, 120 and (twice) 126 pounds, as well as his final 138 high school matches. He completed his St. John Vianney career with a record of 144-1.
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Knox is expected to be in the lineup this fall for Rutgers, which recruited the incoming freshman with an NIL deal estimated to be worth in excess of $200,000 annually — the largest such deal in program history, Zedalis reported.
