Seven members of a New Jersey high school wrestling team have been removed from an upcoming tournament roster, after a photo depicting the boys and a noose was posted on social media this week.
Tyler Agans, D.J. Wissing, Tylor Petchonka, Jimmy Schuitema, Tim Hinkle, Andrew Horun and Broderick Bupivi of Phillipsburg High won't participate in an upcoming District One tournament scheduled to take place on Saturday.
Event officials canceled the boys' attendance after a photo of them posing around a wrestling dummy with a rope around its neck was posted online.
In the photo, the seven boys - six of whom are wearing Phillipsburg wresting jackets - point and mug jokingly at a brown blow-up model wearing neighboring school Paulsboro High's signature red t-shirt. Two of the teens have their hoods pulled high over their heads, according to NJ.com.
Phillipsburg principal Gregory A. Troxell didn't specify why the seven boys were removed from the list during a Wednesday night meeting on the issue.
"It's a private student matter," Troxell stated. "[And] no other Phillipsburg High official can comment on it."
Once news of the photo surfaced online, the public responded with a wave of backlash. Paulsboro resident and Assemblyman John Burzichelli told NJ.com that many were shocked by the indecent nature of the post.
"The picture was hurtful and offended people I know and care about, and that includes a wide range of age and race," Burzichelli told NJ.com. "The effects of that picture were significant."
Burzichelli also said that he's still unsure how the boys will be disciplined for the photo.
"The administration is apparently taking steps that are significant," he continued. "And for those individuals who have spent a career in high school looking forward to a tournament they are now not able to participate in, that's pretty significant."
The wrestling season is now over for the seven sportsmen, some of whom were district champions and previous varsity competitors, NJ.com reported.
