Schwartz: Jersey Native Zach Rey To Represent U.S. At World Championships

By Peter Schwartz
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When Zach Rey was in high school, wrestling wasn't something that he was eager to take part in.  In fact, it took a lot to convince him to give it a try.

"I got into wrestling because my high school coach kept annoying me until I started," said Rey, 26, who will represent the United States in the freestyle heavyweight division this week at the World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas.

At Hopatcong High School in New Jersey, Rey was a two-time state champion and three-time placewinner, while also earning all-state honors in football.

Ranked 17th in the world, Rey is no stranger to success at international competitions.  Now in his third year with Team USA, Rey won the 2014 Brazil Cup championship. He also took the gold at the Pan American Games four times, including this past July in Toronto.

But come this Saturday at the Orleans Arena, he'll participate in the world championships for the first time.

"I couldn't be more excited," Rey told WFAN.com last week from USA Wrestling's training camp in Phoenix.  "It's a very big opportunity that I have."

It's an opportunity afforded to Rey because of the misfortune of another wrestler.  Rey finished second behind two-time world bronze medalist and Olympian Tervel Dlagnev at the U.S. World Team Trials, but Dlagnev had to pull out of the World Championships because of a back injury.

Rey will find out who his first-round opponent will be after weigh-ins this Friday, and will compete in the freestyle competition on Saturday.

Here's a look at Rey in action at the 2015 World Team Trials in Madison, Wisconsin.

After a successful high school career, Rey wrestled collegiately at Lehigh and was the 2011 NCAA Champion.  He also finished second in 2012 and third in 2010.

Now residing with his wife, Diane, and daughters Emma and Zoey in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Rey wrestles out of the Lehigh Valley Athletic Club where he is a sponsored athlete and an assistant coach.

A strong defensive wrestler, Rey could turn out to be a tough matchup in Las Vegas if he can generate a bit more offense.  Standing 6-foot-2 and tipping the scales at 275 pounds/125 kg, Rey is a tough matchup for anyone and is a tough, confident competitor.

Rey is ranked 17th in the world and has been working hard in Arizona to get ready for what lies ahead in Las Vegas.

"Training camp has been tough," said Rey.  "We have some great partners out here and I've had a lot of good workouts with some good partners."

For Rey and his USA Wrestling teammates, this year's World Championships have some extra meaning. The tournament is taking place on United States soil.

"I love that," said Rey.  "Most of the time that we have these big matches, we're traveling to go to the competition, and that always adds another level of difficulty to our competition. With this one being in Las Vegas, it gives us a little bit of an advantage being on our home turf."

Rey has accomplished a lot during his wrestling career, but he could be on the verge of something really special.  If things go his way later this week in Las Vegas, he'll have an opportunity to become a world champion for the first time.

Not bad for a guy who had to have his arm twisted to give wrestling a try!

For more information on the World Wrestling Championships, including ticket information, visit their website here.

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @pschwartzcbsfan.  You can also follow Zach Rey @Z_Rey125kg, the World Wrestling Championships @VegasWorlds2015 and @USAWrestling.