NJ Wrestler Faces Assault Charge After Brawl, Report Says

HOLMDEL, NJ — The state wrestling champion from Saint John Vianney High School has been charged with simple assault following a brawl at a recent match, according to a report from NJ Advance Media.

Anthony Knox, who won his 4th region title on Saturday, has been charged with simple-assault-purposely/knowingly causing bodily injury, according to the report.

Patch has reached out to the Collingswood Police Department for more information.

The charge comes following a fight that broke out in the bleachers at Collingswood High School on Feb. 22, with wrestlers and spectators, including Knox, reportedly involved.

Following the incident, the NJ State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) disqualified Knox from competing in the rest of the wrestling tournament, with NJSIAA Executive Director Colleen Maguire citing violations of the association’s sportsmanship policy and rule for leaving the bench area during an altercation as reasons behind the disqualification.

While Maguire said she didn't make the decision lightly, she said her role is to "uphold the integrity" of high school athletics and ensure 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," Maguire said.

Though Knox was disqualified from the tournament, a lawsuit filed by his family later helped change that status.

On Friday, NJ Superior Court Judge Patrick Bartels issued a temporary restraining order on Knox’s suspension, thereby allowing him to continue competing and granting him the opportunity to win his fourth region title the following day.

Though Bartels ordered the temporary restraining order on his suspension, the NJSIAA has requested a proposed order for a stay, which is pending appeal with the same court, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In the meantime, Knox is now on a journey to become NJ’s fifth four-time state champion when the wrestling championships begin Thursday in Atlantic City.

To read the full report from NJ Advance Media, you can click here.

Previous Coverage

• NJ Wrestler Wins 4th Region Title After Overturned Suspension: Report
• NJ Wrestler's Brawl Suspension Overturned, Report Says
• Disqualified Wrestler, Family Sue To Get Him Back In State Tourney: Report
• NJ High School Wrestling Star Disqualified From State Tournament Following Fight At Match
• NJ Wrestling Tourney Brawl Leads To 2 Arrests: Report