A 3-time champion highschool wrestler in New Jersey who has been embroiled in scandal over a brawl throughout his match bought an eleventh-hour win from a decide, giving him the go-ahead to compete for the state title.
The decide on Wednesday cleared the way in which for Saint John Vianney highschool senior Anthony Knox Jr. to compete within the state wrestling championships, which will get underway Thursday in Atlantic Metropolis. That call got here a day after Knox was charged for his alleged involvement in a fracas that broke out within the stands throughout his match on Feb. 22.
Knox was charged by Collingswood police with easy assault and inflicting bodily harm stemming from the battle within the crowd that concerned his father. Movies posted to social media confirmed a chaotic brawl erupt within the stands of a highschool competitors in Camden County. Knox could possibly be seen within the movies working into the stands.
“I saw an angry mob surround my father and I made the decision to assist in his aid,” he stated at an earlier press convention.
Knox and his household have denied hitting anybody, saying they’re the victims. Police haven’t recognized any others concerned within the brawl.
“Parents started to become more and more irritated and the crowd started getting rowdy,” stated the student-athlete’s father, Anthony Knox Sr. “I never hit anybody. I was assaulted by a mob of people that have been thrown out of countless wrestling events.”
A highschool wrestler who was banned from competing after a brawl within the stands, was again on the mat following a last-minute ruling. NBC New York’s Chris Jose reviews.
Knox Sr. insisted he by no means threw any punches, however stated his son was left to pay the worth.
“No one asked my son after they came to the decision what happened with him. No one had a hearing for him. They just came to a decision on their own – they made him a scapegoat,” stated Knox Sr.
Because of this, Knox was suspended by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Affiliation (NJSIAA) for the remainder of the season for violating the sportsmanship coverage in addition to its “disqualification rule for leaving the bench area during an altercation.”
In impact, it meant Knox’s shot at a historic four-peat was over. However the household appealed that call, alleging the NJSIAA stripped Knox of his due course of. They received a short lived reprieve, permitting him to compete till an additional order of the courtroom. The decide stated NJSIAA’s choice to ban Knox Jr with out notifying him undermined public confidence.
The NJSIAA stated in a press release that they “are disappointed with the trial court’s decision allowing Anthony Knox to compete and have asked the appeals court to intervene.” The affiliation stated it will adjust to the momentary restraining order permitting Knox to compete, except different appeals courts rule in any other case.
The household’s lawyer stated Knox is ready to be in Boardwalk Corridor in Atlantic Metropolis Thursday and compete within the state championships. If he wins, it will be his fourth state title.
“We’re very pleased with the Decide’s choice and past grateful for the outpouring of help obtained from so many throughout New Jersey,” the household stated in a press release.
