By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-13 21:28:36 | Updated at 2026-08-13 23:22:27
4 hours ago
Top-ranked girls high school wrestler Ellia Poalillo has had her 2026 New Jersey state championship vacated following an 'eligibility issue,' her family have revealed.
The 152-pound star, who was crowned a three-time state champion in March after a victory over Pennsauken's Fatina Lozier, learned of the decision back in spring.
While the exact nature of the infraction has not been publicly detailed, her father Joe told NJ.com that the situation was taken out of his daughter's hands.
'It wasn't (her) fault. It's more of something we could have prevented,' her father explained. 'It was something we tried to remedy but we couldn't.'
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association [NJSIAA] confirmed that a title was revoked due to a rules violation during the 2025-26 season, however did not specify the wrestler or the reasoning behind the decision.
'NJSIAA has previously notified both the student-athlete and member school of the violation and related consequence,' spokesman Mike Cherenson told NJ.com.
Top-ranked girls high school wrestler Ellia Poalillo has had her 2026 New Jersey state championship vacated following an 'eligibility issue', her family have revealed
The 152-pound star - who was crowned a three-time state champion in March after a victory over Pennsauken's Fatina Lozier - learned of the decision back in spring
'In accordance with NJSIAA rules and procedures, the athlete's state wrestling title for 2025-2026 will be vacated. NJSIAA has previously notified both the student-athlete and member school of the violation and related consequence.'
High Point superintendent Scott D Ripley acknowledged awareness of the ruling, but stated it would be 'inappropriate' to comment further on the specifics.
The ruling brings an abrupt end to Poalillo's high school career in New Jersey, where she amassed a dominant 100-3 record across three seasons.
The Iowa State commit had already planned to bypass her senior season of high school competition to focus on freestyle wrestling.
She has since withdrawn from High Point to complete her education via homeschooling, with plans to train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado this fall.
Her father, Joe, added: 'The decision is the decision. It was something we were going to try and fight but there was no way to fight it. We've moved on.
'There are things we can control and things that are out of our control. We don't set the rules.'
'She wasn't coming back no matter what. It was always the plan for her to go to the Olympic Training Center or to a prep school. But prep schools don't wrestle a normal schedule.'
