Anthony Knox is set to begin his college wrestling career at Rutgers but his tumultuous senior season at St. John Vianney continues to be in the headlines.  The NJSIAA has revoked Knox’s state title from 2025 in a story that is once again creating a lot of opinion.  Check out our full recap from the court document that confirmed Knox losing his state championship.

17 months after Anthony Knox made history as New Jersey’s fifth ever four-time state champion, the NJSIAA stripped the St. John Vianney product of his final high school triumph upholding their initial ruling that Knox was disqualified following an altercation in the stands during the District 25 tournament in 2025.  The story was first reported by NJ.com’s Joe Zedalis. 

The NJSIAA’s Controversies Committee voted 8-0 on July 1 to revoke Knox’s Region 7 and subsequent state title and sent that decision to Mercer County Judge Patrick J. Bartels ahead of a July 29 hearing in which New Jersey’s athletic organization seeks a dismissal of a civil case filed by Knox’s attorney Patrick J. Jennings.  

The NJSIAA denied a request for comment referring to the public document posted to the court docket.  

“We do not come to this conclusion lightly and understand that some may disagree with our revocation of the title won by Knox. 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.” The committee added that high school athletics is “just as much about fostering teamwork, leadership, and resilience as it is about winning titles,” since those lessons carry into “each student’s academic and personal life.” Athletics, the committee wrote, “teach sportsmanship, cooperation, and respect for others,” and “Knox did not demonstrate these qualities at the tournament on February 22, 2025.”

The ruling revokes both Knox’s win in the Region 7 tournament at Lacey High School and his five straight wins at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.  A reduction of eight wins gives him an official record of 136-1.

Knox was originally committed to Cornell but ultimately made the move to Rutgers where he’s set to begin his college career following a grayshirt season.  Knox earned a bronze medal at the US Open at 57 kg in May in Las Vegas and followed that by finishing as runner-up at the 2026 Senior World Team Trails in Louisville, Kentucky. He reached the finals by securing a dominant 11-0 technical fall victory over Pan American champion Liam Cronin before falling to Olympic silver medalist Spencer Lee. 

Timeline of Key Events

  • Feb. 22, 2025 — Fight breaks out in the stands after the 190-pound championship match at the District 25 tournament, Collingswood HS. Knox was charged with simple assault by Collingswood Police.
  • Feb. 24, 2025 — Attorney John Grey sends letter on Knox’s behalf to NJSIAA; St. John Vianney submits its own statements to the NJSIAA.
  • Feb. 25, 2025 — NJSIAA Executive Director issues Disqualification Notice, barring Knox from the rest of the state tournament.
  • Feb. 26, 2025 — Knox files suit against NJSIAA in Superior Court, Chancery Division, Mercer County.
  • Feb. 28, 2025 — Court grants order to show cause; allows Knox to compete at Region 7 and States pending further proceedings.
  • March 5, 2025 — Court denies NJSIAA’s motion to stay
  • March 8, 2025 — Knox defeats Nathan Braun 18-4 in the 126 pound state championship in Atlantic City becoming NJ’s fifth four-time state wrestling champion.
  • April 30, 2026 — NJSIAA formally notices a Controversies Committee hearing for May 28, 2026.
  • May 19, 2026 — Formal deposition notice sent for Knox; his counsel objects to the date and doesn’t provide an alternative.
  • May 28, 2026 — Controversies Committee hearing held at NJSIAA headquarters in Robbinsville. Knox does not appear.
  • July 1, 2026 — Controversies Committee issues written decision, voting 8-0 to revoke Knox’s Region 7 and state titles.
  • July 27, 2026 — NJSIAA counsel notifies the court a motion to dismiss will follow, calling Knox’s claims moot.
  • July 29, 2026 — Scheduled status conference before Judge Bartels.
  • Sept. 16, 2026 — NJSIAA Executive Committee’s next scheduled meeting; deadline for any appeal of the Controversies Committee’s decision.