Hopatcong's Star Grappler Favorite to Win NCAA Title

Hopatcong's Zach Rey will wrestle for a national heavyweight title Saturday night.

The Lehigh University junior will take on American University's Ryan Flores in the finals of the NCAA Championships at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Flores delivered Rey his only loss this season on the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association final at Bucknell in March.

It's Rey's first trip to the finals. The top-seeded grappler finished third in the nation last year.

Rey, who won two heavyweight state titles at Hopatcong High School, beat No. 5 Dominique Bradley, 2-1, on third-period riding time in the semis. The pair traded mid-match escapes after a scoreless first period. Rey hit his decisive points late in the final period.

Rey also defeated Penn State's Cameron Wade in the quarterfinals Friday. Wade couldn't finish due to a early knee injury forced him to fall behind, 5-1.

Note: Match information courtsey of the National Wrestling Coaches Association.