A New Jersey judge granted a temporary restraining order Thursday allowing wrestling champion Anthony Knox to continue his quest for a fourth state title, overturning an earlier suspension by the state’s athletic association.
Knox, a senior at St. John Vianney High School with an impressive 140-1 career record, had been suspended by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) following an incident in the stands during the Region 7 NJSIAA Boys Individual Wrestling State Tournament at Collingswood High School.
The Cornell University-bound athlete was barred from competition after leaving the bench area during a disturbance that occurred following the 190-pound final match, which involved his father, Anthony Knox Sr. Video footage showed the younger Knox approaching the bleachers during the incident.
NJSIAA Executive Director Colleen Maguire had initially suspended Knox, stating he “violated both the association’s sportsmanship policy and its disqualification rule for leaving the bench area during an altercation.”
Knox’s legal team challenged the suspension, arguing it violated his constitutional right to due process. Their lawsuit contended that “the chaos was caused by unruly parents and spectators that had no connection to Mr. Knox.”
The elder Knox reported that the situation escalated after rival parents directed inappropriate language at his wife and racial slurs toward his son’s teammates.
The younger Knox explained his actions, saying, “I saw my family being surrounded, and I’ve always lived by the motto that family is over everything.”
The ruling allows the three-time state champion to compete in Friday’s championship rounds, keeping alive his chance to secure a fourth title in the 126-pound category before graduating.
