Top Prospects Highlight Historic Recruiting Class for @UNCBearsWrestle

The NCAA wrestling community will be put on alert after signing day; Northern Colorado is on the rise. Head coach Troy Nickerson announced the signing of seven wrestlers for the 2019 recruiting class. Nickerson showed his recruiting ability, securing four top 100 prospects, with one other being ranked in his weight class.

"I am extremely happy to announce the addition of seven of the best young men out there as part of our 2019 recruiting class," Nickerson said. "This is probably the best class that UNC has ever seen and will be the driving force that puts UNC on the map. These kids checked all the boxes we were looking for and I cannot wait to get them on the mat."

On top of being arguably the best the program has ever signed, the 2019 class will be among the top classes in NCAA D1 Wrestling.

Andrew "Boo" Alirez

Alirez highlights the 2019 class as the No. 3 overall prospect and ranks No. 1 nationally in the 152 lb class according to Flowrestling.com. Alirez will stay close to home after wrestling for Greeley Central High School. During his career, Alirez has won three state championships and compiled a 120-1 overall record. Alirez is a three-time USA Wrestling Cadet/Junior Nationals All-American and a three-time, United World Wrestling Cadet/Junior All-American. Along with being an All-American, Alirez was a UWW World Team Trial finalist, while also being a Pan Am Champion in 2018 and a Super 32 finalist. Alirez is projected to wrestle in the 149 lb weight class at UNC.

Nickerson talked about keeping Alirez in-state. "Boo is a local product who we have had our eyes on since my first day on the job in 2014. He has a tremendous work ethic and is the type of leader a coach dies to have in their program. Boo's drive and determination will help him reach the highest levels of college wrestling and beyond!"

Drake Engelking

Engelking is another in-state prospect staying close to home after wrestling for Longmont High School. The Longmont, Colo. native is ranked No. 17 nationally by TheOpenMat in the 160 lb weight class. Engelking won the State Championship in 2018 and has compiled a 75-8 career record. Along with the championship, Engelking placed second in 2016 and third in 2017 during the State Championships. Engelking is a two-time National High School Coaches Association All-American, placing fifth in 2018 and second in 2016. At UNC, Engelking is projected to wrestle at either the 165 lb or 174 lb weight class.

"Drake has been around our program for quite some time and has evolved a ton over the past few years," Nickerson explained. "Drake is a little unknown on the national scene right now even with a top 20 ranking at his weight class. However, he will become a household name in college wrestling in no time."

Adrian Marquez

Marquez arrives at UNC after wrestling for Castle View High School in Castle Rock, Colo. During his high school career, Marquez placed second in 2018 and third in 2017 at the State Championships. He has qualified for the championships three times and had a 105-27 overall record in high school. In 2016, Marquez placed fourth at the USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals, earning All-American honors. Marquez projects to be wrestling in the 125 lb weight class.

"Adrian comes from a wrestling background that most kids can only dream of," Nickerson said." He has been coached by some of our nation's best from a very young age and will be ready to go technically right out of the gates. We are very excited to have Adrian as a part of our program."

Nate Moore

Moore is a native of Buckley, Wash. and competes for White River High School. Moore is a two-time State Champion, winning titles in 2018 and 2017. He also placed third at the State Championships in 2016. Moore is a two-time USAW Cadet/Junior Nationals All-American. Moving to the collegiate level, Moore is projected to be in the 157 lb or 165 lb weight class.

"Nate is another one of those kids who is extremely under the radar with a very high ceiling," Nickerson said. "Nate has a tremendous work ethic and drive to be the best. He is well rounded in all areas and his toughness is what separates him from the rest."

Theorius Robison

Robison is the No. 11 overall recruit in the 2019 class, according to Flowrestling.com, and ranked No. 5 nationally in the 145 lb weight class. The Henderson, Colo. native wrestles at Pomona High School, compiling a 103-6 overall record. Robison is a three-time state champion and a two-time USAW Cadet/Junior National Champion, earning USAW Cadet/Junior All-American honors. Robison added another accolade with All-American honors at the UWW Cadet/Junior Nationals. Robison is projected to wrestle at 141 lbs, 149 lbs, or 157 lbs.

Nickerson discussed signing another top prospect from Colorado, "Theorius is one of the most naturally gifted athletes I have ever seen. He has won at every age level and will be ready to compete in a UNC singlet right out of the gates. Theorius knows no boundaries and will strive for nothing but the top of the podium."

Mosha Schwartz

Schwartz is the No. 44 overall recruit in the 2019 class, according to TheOpenMat and is ranked No. 7 nationally in the 138 lb weight class. The Franktown, Colo. native is a three-time USAW Cadet/Junior National Champion and a two-time Cadet Pan Am Champion. Schwartz won the FloNationals Championship and is a National Prep finalist, and made a Cadet World Team in 2016. Arriving at UNC, Schwartz also has a range of potential weight classes, projecting to be at 141 lbs, 149 lbs, or 157 lbs.

"One word comes to mind when I think of Mosha- Winner!," Nickerson described. "He has won at every age level on his way up to this point. I have no doubt that he will continue to impress at the collegiate level."

Ronald Tucker Jr.

Tucker Jr. is the No. 49 overall recruit, according to InterMat, in the 2019 class. A native of Lockport, Illi., Tucker Jr. is a three-time USAW Cadet/Junior Nationals All-American and he won a Championship at the USAW Folkstyle Nationals competition. Tucker Jr was a Powerade Champion and placed at the State Championship. Tucker Jr. is projected to compete in the 285 lb weight class.

"For his size, Ronald is one of the most athletic athletes out there," Nickerson explained. "His ability to compete at the heavyweight weight class and wrestle like a lightweight is incredible. A couple of the things we love most about Ronald are his maturity and his personality. He knows how to light up a room just as well as he can light it up on the wrestling mat."

To stay up to date with Northern Colorado wrestling visit UNCBears.com or follow the team on Twitter with @UNCBearsWrestle.

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