University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Sunday, March 6
Tulsa, Okla.
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Big 12 Championships Day 2
Photo by: Ashley Buchholz
History Made: Alirez Becomes UNC's First Big 12 Champion
3/6/2022 8:56:00 PM | Wrestling
Andrew Alirez became Northern Colorado's first Big 12 champion Sunday night
TULSA, Okla. – Greeley native Andrew Alirez made history Sunday night. The sophomore became the first Northern Colorado wrestler to win a Big 12 Champion. He did so by defeating Allan Hart of Missouri by decision, 6-4.
Alirez was active early in the match earning a takedown with 1:32 left in the first period helping to start to build ride time. He led after the first 2-1. That grew to 3-1 with a quick escape in the second period and takedown 50 seconds later. A locked hands call against Alirez at the end of the period made it a 5-2 match. Hart earned his escape but needed three points to force sudden victory as Alirez had 1:21 of ride time. The Greeley native was able to keep that from happening, giving up one more point on a stall warning and earning the extra point for ride time.
The now three-time NCAA Championship qualifier became the first Bear to win a Big 12 championship after UNC entered the day 0-3 in championships matches.
Alirez and Jace Koelzer punched their tickets to the NCAA Tournament at the Big 12 Championships with four Bears in total placing at the tournament.
Koelzer finished in sixth place, his second time being a place-winner at the Big 12 Championships. Meanwhile, Alan Clothier became a three-time placer taking eighth for 197 lbs and Nick Knutson was a first-time placer with an eighth-place finish for 165 lbs.
What's Ahead
While Alirez and Koelzer already know they are headed to Detroit for the NCAA Championships the rest of UNC wrestling team awaits the NCAA Selection Show on Wednesday, March 9 at 4 pm MT.
To stay up to date on all things UNC Wrestling, visit UNCBears.com, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the new UNC Athletics app by clicking here.
Alirez was active early in the match earning a takedown with 1:32 left in the first period helping to start to build ride time. He led after the first 2-1. That grew to 3-1 with a quick escape in the second period and takedown 50 seconds later. A locked hands call against Alirez at the end of the period made it a 5-2 match. Hart earned his escape but needed three points to force sudden victory as Alirez had 1:21 of ride time. The Greeley native was able to keep that from happening, giving up one more point on a stall warning and earning the extra point for ride time.
The now three-time NCAA Championship qualifier became the first Bear to win a Big 12 championship after UNC entered the day 0-3 in championships matches.
Alirez and Jace Koelzer punched their tickets to the NCAA Tournament at the Big 12 Championships with four Bears in total placing at the tournament.
Koelzer finished in sixth place, his second time being a place-winner at the Big 12 Championships. Meanwhile, Alan Clothier became a three-time placer taking eighth for 197 lbs and Nick Knutson was a first-time placer with an eighth-place finish for 165 lbs.
What's Ahead
While Alirez and Koelzer already know they are headed to Detroit for the NCAA Championships the rest of UNC wrestling team awaits the NCAA Selection Show on Wednesday, March 9 at 4 pm MT.
To stay up to date on all things UNC Wrestling, visit UNCBears.com, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the new UNC Athletics app by clicking here.
Players Mentioned
HC Nickerson, Vinny Zerban, and AJ Heeg Post Dual Press Conference vs Cal Baptist 01/24/2025
Wednesday, May 21
Andrew Alirez Press Conference
Wednesday, May 21
Postmatch Press Conference - HC Troy Nickerson
Wednesday, May 21
Head Coach Troy Nickerson and Andrew Alirez Post Match Press Conference
Monday, February 24
