Peter Ackerman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Knox hugs his parents after win. SJV’s Anthony Knox vs Bergen Catholic’s Nathan Braun in their 126 lbs. State Wrestling Championships in Atlantic City on March 8, 2025.
In March of 2026, Anthony Knox became just the fifth four-time champion in the history of the New Jersey State Wrestling Tournament.
Fast forward nearly a full year-and-a-half, and Knox can no longer make that claim after the NJSIAA stripped him of his fourth and final championship on Monday.
The decision comes 16 months after Knox successfully sued to be reinstated for the 2025 state tournament after he was initially disqualified from the regional tournament for an altercation that occurred in the stands.
🚨NJSIAA Strips Anthony Knox’s 2025 State Title🚨
17 months after St. John Vianney’s Anthony Knox won his 4th straight state wrestling title, the NJSIAA Controversies Committee voted 8-0 to revoke Knox’s 2025 region and state championship as first reported by… pic.twitter.com/8fM8BNw0gA
— Jersey Sports Zone (@JSZ_Sports) July 27, 2026
Why Did New Jersey Strip Anthony Of His Fourth State Championship?
Knox initially won the 126-pound championship at the 2025 Region 7 NJSIAA Boys Individual Wrestling State Tournament at Collingswood High School, qualifying for the following week’s state tournament.
However, he was later disqualified from the event entirely after videos filmed by various spectators showed Knox running over to the bleachers during a melee involving his father and striking another competitor.
Ultimately, a judge granted Knox a temporary restraining order that allowed him to compete in the state tournament, which he went on to win.
He then competed for a semester with Spartan Combat Regional Training Center and was expected to enroll at Cornell University. However, Knox ultimately transferred back home to Rutgers, where he’s currently a member of the Scarlett Knights wrestling team.
Meanwhile, the NJSIAA never dropped the case. And on Monday, court documents showed that Knox had been stripped of his fourth championship.
“We do not come to this decision lightly and understand that some may disagree with our revocation of the title won by Knox,” the NJSIAA said in communications with the court. “However, interscholastic sports are designed to do much more than support student athletic achievement. NJSIAA Rules reflect the fundamental goals of school athletes in supporting personal learning and growth.
“…Athletics teach sportsmanship, cooperation, and respect for others. Knox did not demonstrate those qualities…”
Knox could well appeal the decision. But for now, Mike Grey (ironically, Knox’s would-be coach at Cornell), Andrew Campolattano, Anthony Ashnault, and Nick Suriano return to being the only four-time champs in New Jersey high school wrestling history.