University of Northern Colorado Athletics

Bears Ground Falcons 32-12
2/18/2024 6:22:00 PM | Wrestling
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Northern Colorado cruised past Air Force 32-12, at Clune Arena Sunday.
The Bears (10-5, 3-4 Big 12) grounded the Falcons (5-7, 2-6 Big 12), winning four of the first five matches and seven of the 10 bouts in the final match before the Big 12 Championships.
No. 7 Stevo Poulin and Xavier Vasquez tallied bonus points for UNC with a pinfall each. No. 14 Dominick Serrano and No. 2 Vincent Zerban added five points each to the team score with tech falls. Branson Britten added a major decision to his ledger, while Benji Alanis and Aydin Rix-McElhinney earned victories.
QUOTE FROM COACH
"Today was a good way to finish the dual season," head coach Troy Nickerson said. "I felt like our guys wrestled with confidence and swagger. I hope we can continue and keep it going into the championship portion of our schedule."
UNC 32, AIR FORCE ACADAMEY 12
February 18, 2024 | Colorado Springs, Colo. | Clune Arena
UNC AFA
125: No. 7 Stevo Poulin (UNC) over Tucker Owens (AFA) (Fall 2:07) 6 0
133: Dominick Serrano (UNC) over Bubba Wright (AF) (TF 23-5 5:00) 11 0
141: Garrett Kuchan (AFA) over Rudy Lopez (UNC) (Dec 9-4) 11 3
149: Benji Alanis (UNC) over Joe Fernau (AFA) (Dec 7-1) 14 3
157: Vincent Zerban (UNC) over Bryce Shelton (AFA) (TF 17-0 4:29) 19 3
165: Giano Petrucelli (AFA) over Derek Matthews (UNC) (Dec 6-3) 19 6
174: Aydin Rix-McElhinney (UNC) over Noah Blake (AFA) (Dec 8-5) 22 6
184: Branson Britten (UNC) over Joshua Cordio (AFA) (MD 13-3) 26 6
197: Xavier Vasquez (UNC) over Soren Herzog (AFA) (Fall 2:01) 32 6
285: Wyatt Hendrickson (AFA) over Andrew Blackburn-Forst (UNC) (Fall 3:21) 32 12
UP NEXT
The Bears return to the mat at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10.
The Bears (10-5, 3-4 Big 12) grounded the Falcons (5-7, 2-6 Big 12), winning four of the first five matches and seven of the 10 bouts in the final match before the Big 12 Championships.
No. 7 Stevo Poulin and Xavier Vasquez tallied bonus points for UNC with a pinfall each. No. 14 Dominick Serrano and No. 2 Vincent Zerban added five points each to the team score with tech falls. Branson Britten added a major decision to his ledger, while Benji Alanis and Aydin Rix-McElhinney earned victories.
QUOTE FROM COACH
"Today was a good way to finish the dual season," head coach Troy Nickerson said. "I felt like our guys wrestled with confidence and swagger. I hope we can continue and keep it going into the championship portion of our schedule."
UNC 32, AIR FORCE ACADAMEY 12
February 18, 2024 | Colorado Springs, Colo. | Clune Arena
UNC AFA
125: No. 7 Stevo Poulin (UNC) over Tucker Owens (AFA) (Fall 2:07) 6 0
133: Dominick Serrano (UNC) over Bubba Wright (AF) (TF 23-5 5:00) 11 0
141: Garrett Kuchan (AFA) over Rudy Lopez (UNC) (Dec 9-4) 11 3
149: Benji Alanis (UNC) over Joe Fernau (AFA) (Dec 7-1) 14 3
157: Vincent Zerban (UNC) over Bryce Shelton (AFA) (TF 17-0 4:29) 19 3
165: Giano Petrucelli (AFA) over Derek Matthews (UNC) (Dec 6-3) 19 6
174: Aydin Rix-McElhinney (UNC) over Noah Blake (AFA) (Dec 8-5) 22 6
184: Branson Britten (UNC) over Joshua Cordio (AFA) (MD 13-3) 26 6
197: Xavier Vasquez (UNC) over Soren Herzog (AFA) (Fall 2:01) 32 6
285: Wyatt Hendrickson (AFA) over Andrew Blackburn-Forst (UNC) (Fall 3:21) 32 12
UP NEXT
The Bears return to the mat at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10.
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