TULSA, Okla. — College of Northern Colorado junior Andrew Alirez didn’t eat Mexican, Italian or processed meals this yr. It was all in an try and win a nationwide title. Effectively, his subsequent a number of meals will probably be “one thing that tastes good,” as a result of he reached his purpose.
No. 2-seeded Alirez (28-0) received the 141-pound nationwide championship on Saturday evening, changing into the first-ever champion within the fashionable period. UNC’s most up-to-date titles got here within the Division II days and within the Nineteen Sixties earlier than the NCAA created divisional breakdowns. He defeated No. 1 seed Actual Woods (20-1) from Iowa.
G-City, WE DID IT! Andrew Alirez is your 141lb NCAA Division 1 NATIONAL CHAMPION! #GetUpGreeley X #BearDown pic.twitter.com/EotNhsjZ9c
— UNC Bears Wrestling (@UNCBearsWrestle) March 19, 2023
The Greeley native was met with hugs from the Bears teaching employees and his household, whereas the group erupted in help of his accomplishment. UNC completed tied for 22 out of 61 groups, regardless of solely have three contributors.
“I’ve given my life to this recreation, and to have the ability to reap the advantages from it means all the pieces,” Alirez mentioned. “That’s years and years of sacrifice, particularly over this previous yr. I sacrificed all the pieces that I may to get to this second. Now that I’m right here, I can do nothing however be grateful.”
Listed below are the submit match hugs after his interview pic.twitter.com/j6CzfB5BEo
— Jadyn Adams (@jwatsonfisher) March 19, 2023
The match didn’t go fairly as anticipated. Coach Troy Nickerson mentioned Woods moved effectively on his toes and it threw Alirez off. Nonetheless, the hometown child discovered a solution to win.
Alirez managed to defeat Woods, 6-4, in a bout that included a reversal and four-point nearfall. Final season, he ended his season in heartbreak. This time, he put the wrestling world on discover.
“It’s been a very long time within the making. This constructing course of, it’s been plenty of work, however we’ve obtained the suitable individuals in place to do it,” Nickerson mentioned. “I’m pleased with him. He completed his purpose, and no one’s ever going to have the ability to take that away from him.”
The Bear received 4 Colorado state championships for Greeley Central and dedicated to UNC. He may’ve gone anyplace and clearly has the expertise to compete for the larger colleges, however Alirez remained true to his metropolis.
Gallery: Northern Colorado Andrew Alirez wins NCAA wrestling nationwide title
It took a very long time to get right here. He began coaching with this system in eighth grade, stayed related to Northern Colorado after which wanted 4 tries to get on the rostrum.
Alirez by no means noticed the mat in 2020 or 2021 as a result of COVID and medical withdrawal, respectively. Then, he misplaced within the 2022 comfort spherical.
When requested what he’d inform his youthful self, Alirez mentioned to “keep the course.” He confronted adversity, questions and disappointment. He responded every time, going via “the depths of it” however making historical past.
G-City, he’s not coming. He lastly did it. He did it for the place that supported him, raised him and liked him.
“I really feel like I’ve been ordained by God for this for fulfillment, particularly for the city of Greeley, Colorado, and this system,” Alirez mentioned. “I needed to be that constructing block for individuals rising up within the metropolis and other people coming from throughout the nation to return wrestle for Northern Colorado — to have one thing to have a look at and imagine that they will go win a nationwide title, as effectively. Simply being that individual to get began means the world to me. It’s what I’ve got down to do, and it’s what I’m going to proceed to do.”
UNC NCAA wrestling champions
Earlier than the divisional period
1961: Len Lordino (191 kilos)
1962: Jack Flasche (157)
1969: Leonard Groom (130)
Division II
1970: Larry Wagner (126)
1990: Mike Pantoya (134)
1991: Mike Pantoya (134)
1992: Mike Leberknight (177)
1993: Mike Leberknight (177)
1999: Scott Hewitt (157)
Division I
2023: Andrew Alirez (141)