Hopatcong Star Falls in NCAA Tournament Final

From his knees, Zach Rey stared into the stands in disbelief.

The had spent the last two days defying odds. But the fourth-ranked Rey's good fortunes ran out Saturday night as No. 2 Anthony Nelson of Minnesota edged the Hopatcong native, 4-1, in dramatic, last-second fashion for the heavyweight hardware in St. Louis.

With the score tied 1-1, Nelson, a redshirt sophomore, slipped his right ankle from Rey's grasp, turned and lunged at the Lehigh University star. And with seven seconds remaining—and the Scottrade Center rocking—Nelson was awarded the title-sealing takedown.

"He grabbed my right leg," Nelson said in a post-match ESPN interview, "I slipped around him and was able to keep both feet inside [the circle]."

For Rey, the match represented an chance not just to defend his national crown, but to silence doubters. The senior entered the tournament with a pair of regular season losses after an undefeated 2011 campaign. And after dropping the top-seeded Ryan Flores of American, 6-2, in the semifinals, the championship seemed like Rey's to lose.

Nelson, however, saw it differently.

A slow first period led to Rey grabbing a 1-0 lead late in the second with an escape.

But Rey, seemingly winded, wasn't able to hold down a spry Nelson, who tied things up with an escape just about 13 seconds into the final period.

Rey was the first to respond when crunch time set in late in regulation. The two-time New Jersey high school heavyweight crown holder went for Nelson's leg. And after grabbing hold of Nelson's ankle, Rey seemed poised to bring the Big 10 champion to the mat and take the lead.

But Nelson was able to slip from Rey's hands and, while keeping his feet within the circle, score the deciding two points.

Then it was over. Nelson rode Rey for the final seven seconds to victory. He earned his fourth point via riding time.

The borough resident's rode to the finals was tough.

After a first-round bye, Rey needed overtime to put away Indiana's Ray Chalfant, 6-4. He had an easier time with West Virginia's Brandon Williamson, grabbing a 2-1 win.

Rey won Friday's to reach the finals. After dropping No. 5 Bobby Telford of Iowa, 2-0, the defensive specialist beat nemesis Ryan Flores of American, 6-2. Flores, who Rey beat in the 2011 final, defeated Rey earlier this season.

Rey finished his career Saturday as a three-time All American and two-time finalist. Third on Leigh's career wins list with a 116-14 record, Rey became the school's first three-time heavyweight All-American and 15th three-time All-American.