Absegami Wrestling Match Canceled Amid Dreadlock Controversy

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ - A match involving the Absegami High School wrestling team was recently canceled as part of the ongoing controversy surrounding a Buena wrestler and his dreadlocks.

The match between Absegami and Buena, which had been scheduled for Wednesday night, was canceled hours before the match was scheduled to take place because state officials have yet to clarify guidelines about hair length.

One day before the match, information received by the Buena Regional School District raised concerns about the lack of consistent application and overall interpretation of rules involving wrestlers’ hair, Buena Superintendent David C. Cappuccio Jr. wrote in a letter posted on the district’s website.

The district contacted the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), the body that oversees high school sports in the state. The NJSIAA then contacted the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS), which was supposed to provide a written interpretation of the rule.

The school district didn’t receive a response by the time the match was scheduled to begin so the district cancelled the match, Cappuccio said.

“I was not willing to allow our student-athletes to be subjected to any potential dispute, embarrassment or mis-application of the rule,” Cappuccio said.

The district later received written clarification that the rule applies only to hair length and not hairstyle, Cappuccio said.

“Our administration was informed that every chapter of wrestling officials associations, as well as every individual wrestling official, has been informed of this clarification,” Cappuccio said. “Given our receipt of this information, it is our intent for our team to re-engage in competition immediately.”

Buena’s next match is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 16, at Lower Cape May, 7 p.m.
On Dec. 19, Buena wrestler Andrew Johnson was given an ultimatum by referee Alan Maloney: cut your hair or forfeit your match.

Johnson opted to have his dreadlocks cut, and went on to win his bout against Oakcrest. The haircut was caught on a video that went viral, and caused a stir nationally.

Read more here: Blame Is On Alleged Racist Ref Who Made Wrestler Cut His Hair: Lawyer

Since then, Johnson sat out a weekend tournament. He has competed just once, in a quad meet involving Highland, West Deptford and Clayton, according to nj.com. He was to have wrestled against Absegami, before the match was canceled.

The school district and the NJSIAA have reached an agreement that Maloney will no longer officiate any sporting events in which Buena is involved.

The NJSIAA and the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights are working together to investigate the incident, and the district said it may take action based on the outcome of that investigation. Cappuccio reiterated that commitment in the letter this week.

“The district and its administration will continue to work with the NJSIAA and the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights to ensure that all facts are uncovered relative to this situation and will take action accordingly,” Cappuccio said. “We will continue to work to support and advocate for the safety and well-being for all of our students.”

Absegami is 4-3 this season, including four straight lopsided wins, according to nj.com. The Braves host Egg Harbor Township on Saturday morning, 9 a.m.

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See related: See How NJ Ref With Alleged Racist Past Made Teen Cut Dreadlocks