Paramus Wrestler Wins Silver at State Championships

It was over.

But Nick Alpher wasn't done.

The Paramus senior was en route to a 16-4 loss to Willingboro's James Green in Sunday's 145-pound state championship final at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall. But Alpher kept shooting, refusing to quit even with mere seconds remaining.

"[That] could be the last time I was on a wrestling mat," Alpher said, "and I didn't want [my career] to end on a bad note."

Alpher finished his Spartans tenure with 140 wins, the most in school history. His last match, however, didn't reflect his career success.

Alpher fell behind early and never caught up. He was down, 8-1, heading into the second period. But he avoided the technical fall.

"He got beat by the better kid today," Paramus head coach Steve Klass said.

"[Green is] one of the best in the country."

Alpher said he couldn't match Green's athleticism.

"He was just very athletic and very agile," Alpher said. "It's hard to predict where he's going to go."

Alpher was hoping to become Paramus' first state champion since Neil Hanley in 1981. He became the Spartans' first state place winner in four years.

Klass said Alpher planned to stymie Green's aggressive style. It didn't work.

"Nick's really good at slowing kids down," Klass said. "We could not slow [Green] down. We were hoping for maybe a 0-0, 2-1 first period [and to] wear him out a little bit."

Instead, Alpher and Klass were left reflecting on an impressive career. Klass said he was impressive with Alpher's maturation this season. Klass said Alpher "really put it together" after getting disqualified for stalling in the the Bergen County Tournament finals.

"To change his outlook on the year and his work habits, it takes somebody of character to do that and not many kids can get to a high level like that," Klass said.

Alpher beat Williamstown's C.J. Cobb, 1-0, Saturday in the semifinals to reach Sunday's big stage. He also dropped Trenton Central's Ray Bethea, 4-3, in the quarterfinals and Montville's Parker Meytrott, 5-0, in the pre-quarters after earning a preliminary-round bye.

Alpher said dedication to the sport carried him to Atlantic City.

"It just shows that no matter where you come from you can always get on the top with hard work and dedication," he said. "This is where it's got me today."