Top-ranked high school wrestler Ellia Poalillo has had her 2026 New Jersey state championship vacated following an eligibility issue, her family has revealed. The 152-pound athlete, who secured her third state championship title in March, learned of the decision in the spring.
While the specific reason for the infraction has not been publicly disclosed, Poalillo's father, Joe, told NJ.com that the situation was beyond his daughter's control. "It wasn't (her) fault. It's more of something we could have prevented," he stated, adding that the family attempted to resolve the matter without success.
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) confirmed that a title was revoked for a rules violation during the 2025-26 season. However, the organization did not identify the student-athlete or provide details about the violation. "NJSIAA has previously notified both the student-athlete and member school of the violation and related consequence," spokesman Mike Cherenson told NJ.com. "In accordance with NJSIAA rules and procedures, the athlete's state wrestling title for 2025-2026 will be vacated."
Scott D Ripley, superintendent of High Point school district, acknowledged awareness of the ruling but declined to comment further on the specifics.
The NJSIAA's decision concludes Poalillo's high school wrestling career in New Jersey, where she achieved a record of 100-3 over three seasons. The wrestler, who had committed to Iowa State, had already planned to forgo her senior year to focus on freestyle wrestling. She has since withdrawn from High Point High School to pursue her education through homeschooling and intends to train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado this fall.
"The decision is the decision. It was something we were going to try and fight but there was no way to fight it," her father said. "We've moved on. There are things we can control and things that are out of our control. We don't set the rules."