Medical student wins 'Survivor: South Pacific'; Utahn is 5th

Utahn Rick Nelson made it to the final five in the CBS “Survivor: South Pacific” finale that aired Sunday night but was voted out during the first tribal council.

"Survivor" alum Oscar “Ozzy” Lusth beat Brandon Hantz in the Redemption Island duel to re-enter the game. He won the immunity challenge, leaving Benjamin "Coach" Wade, who had the immunity idol and was also a "Survivor" alum; Albert Destrade, a baseball coach and dating coach; Sophie Clarke, a medical student; and Nelson with the possibility of going straight to the jury.

Destrade targeted Nelson, a rancher from Aurora, because Destrade figured Nelson hadn’t really done anything to make anyone mad and would have a shot at the $1 million as the nine-member jury votes for the winner.

Ultimately, after Nelson, Lusth was voted out at the next tribal council with Clarke winning the immunity challenge, leaving Wade, Destrade and Clarke in the final three.

Clarke was named the sole “Survivor” on Sunday night and won the $1 million prize.

Nelson joined an early alliance with tribe members Ward, Destrade, Clarke and Hantz early in the game, which helped carry him to the final five.

Brigham Young University professor Dawn Meehan was also a member of the jury.

Email: rappleye@desnews.com