Wrestling Matches Stopped After Lynching Photo Surfaces

PAULSBORO, N.J. (AP) — Two New Jersey high school wrestling powers are stopping their matches against one another because of a photo in which members of one team simulated a lynching.

Paulsboro school superintendent Walter Quint tells The Philadelphia Inquirer that continuing meets against Phillipsburg High School would be "disrespectful to the people who are here that are hurt by" the photo.

The controversy erupted in February when the photo surfaced online of seven white Phillipsburg wrestlers, some with pointed hoods, posing with a black wrestling dummy hanging from a noose. The dummy is in a Paulsboro shirt.

The seven plus another team member were scratched from the state tournament after the photo became public. Prosecutors investigated but declined to file charges.

There have been several apologies.

The schools had scheduled meets annually since 1999.