New Jersey wrestler Anthony Knox named SBLive national champion at 120 pounds
Before we start to talk about 120, I want to point out that this weight class is ridiculously deep. There are some quality wrestlers who were in the top 10 in different editions of the rankings that are now in the mid-to-low teens. I will not be breaking all that down in this capsule, but feel free to reach out to me about this weight or any others at billybwrestling@yahoo.com. I can explain my rationale for the ranking order for all involved. -- Billy Buckheit
The rationale for having Anthony Knox of St. John Vianney in New Jersey at No. 1 is easy. Over the last two years, he has lost twice; the most recent at the U17 Freestyle US Open last Spring to Marcus Blaze (Perrysburg, OH) and in the 2022 Super 32 Finals to Bo Bassett (Bishop McCort, PA) at 113-pounds.
At FloWrestling’s Who’s No. 1, Knox defeated No. 3 Leo DeLuca (Blair Academy, NJ), 9-3.
The junior followed that up by winning the 120-pound Super 32 crown, blanking No. 2 Nathan Desmond (Wyoming Seminary, PA), with an 11-0 major decision in the finals. Three other ranked foes were disposed of at S32: No. 18 Keanu Dillard (Bethlehem Catholic, PA), No. 23 Antonio Mills (Mill Creek, GA), and No. 25 Antonio Rodriguez (Los Gatos, CA).
St. John Vianney junior wrestler Anthony Knox has only suffered two losses over the last two years and his dominance this year as earned him the final No. 1 ranking of 2023-24 in the SBLive Sports 120-pound National High School Wrestling Rankings.
Before the Christmas break, Knox won his second straight Beast of the East title. In those finals, Knox beat previously ranked Sammy Spaulding (Camden Catholic, NJ).
St. John Vianney skipped Escape The Rock this year, but had been there in Knox’s previous two years. At this tournament as a Freshman, the Lancer suffered the only defeat of his high school career (official season) when he fell to Zachary Jacaruso (Delaware Valley, PA), 6-4 in OT.
Knox won the Rock title last year but had no more events of that caliber on this year’s schedule.
At states, Knox put a third crown on his resume with a 15-8 win over Kurt Wehner (Donovan Catholic) to run his record to 34-0 on the year and 106-1 over his three seasons.
Desmond was a two-time AAA state champion at Bethlehem Catholic, who decided to transfer to Wyoming Seminary for his junior campaign.
After a fourth-place finish in Junior Freestyle at Fargo, a second place showing at S32 that included wins over World Champion Christian Castillo (Valiant Prep, AZ) and No. 6 Ronnie Ramirez (Walnut, CA) set Desmond up for a stellar season.
At the Ironman, the Blue Knight placed third, defeating No. 7 Karson Brown (St. Edward, OH) and No. 16 Louie Gill (Reynolds, PA), and Mack Mauger (Blackfoot, ID – No. 8 at 126). No. 4 Beric Jordan (Noble, OK) was still at Stillwater (OK) at the time and handled Desmond en route to finishing second at 120.
In an odd coincidence, Desmond won the PowerAde crown with his two biggest wins coming over rivals he beat at Ironman: Brown and Gill.
In the National Prep finals, Desmond upset No. 3 DeLuca, who was No. 2 at the time.
DeLuca won the title at Ironman by defeating Jordan in the finals. DeLuca also beat Jordan in the finals to win the Junior FS crown at Fargo. A Beast of the East gold was next for the Buccaneer, who beat No. 5 Aaron Seidel (North Lebanon, PA) in the title bout. DeLuca pinned Castillo at the RWC Duals in January.
Jordan captured a 5A state title a year after being second in the 6A Division.
Seidel won Super 32 at 113-pounds, including a win over Dom Munaretto (St. Charles East, IL). For the season, he landed at 120, where he was second at the Beast of the East. Seidel finished first at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic and the Mid-Winter Mayhem.
A second straight AA state championship was secured by the junior with wins over No. 14 Greyson Music (Bishop McDevitt) and No. 15 Lincoln Sledzianowski (Bishop McCort).
Ramirez deserves a quick mention as he completed an undefeated season with titles at Reno Tournament of Champions as well as Doc Buchanan to go along with his second state gold in the last two years after being second as a freshman. Ramirez was also third at S32.
