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'''Andrew Michael Alirez '''(born August 19, 2000) is an American [[Freestyle wrestling|freestyle]] and [[Collegiate wrestling|folkstyle wrestler]] who competes at [[Wrestling weight classes#Men's freestyle wrestling|65 kilograms]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-01 |title=Despite team’s bus being showered with bullets, Greeley Central’s Andrew Alirez unflappable, winning Pan Am wrestling title in Brazil |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2018/09/01/despite-teams-bus-being-showered-with-bullet-holes-culture-being-foreign-greeley-centrals-andrew-alirez-once-again-unflappable-while-winning-pan-american-wrestling-title-in-brazil/ |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=Greeley Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> In freestyle, he was a US National champion, and in folkstyle, he is an [[2023 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA National champion]] at 141 pounds out of the [[University of Northern Colorado]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-18 |title=Greeley Native Andrew Alirez Completes Perfect Season with NCAA 141-Pound Championship |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2023/3/18/wrestling-greeley-native-andrew-alirez-completes-perfect-season-with-ncaa-141-pound-championship.aspx |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref>
'''Andrew Michael Alirez '''(born August 19, 2000) is an American [[Freestyle wrestling|freestyle]] and [[Collegiate wrestling|folkstyle wrestler]] who competes at [[Wrestling weight classes#Men's freestyle wrestling|65 kilograms]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-01 |title=Despite team’s bus being showered with bullets, Greeley Central’s Andrew Alirez unflappable, winning Pan Am wrestling title in Brazil |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2018/09/01/despite-teams-bus-being-showered-with-bullet-holes-culture-being-foreign-greeley-centrals-andrew-alirez-once-again-unflappable-while-winning-pan-american-wrestling-title-in-brazil/ |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=Greeley Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> In freestyle, he is a two-time US National champion, and in folkstyle, he is an [[2023 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA National champion]] at 141 pounds out of the [[University of Northern Colorado]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-18 |title=Greeley Native Andrew Alirez Completes Perfect Season with NCAA 141-Pound Championship |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2023/3/18/wrestling-greeley-native-andrew-alirez-completes-perfect-season-with-ncaa-141-pound-championship.aspx |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref>

== Career ==

=== High school ===
Alirez attended to [[Greeley Central High School]], where he was a four-time state champion, multiple-time US [[Freestyle wrestling|freestyle]] All-American and a U20 Pan American champion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-18 |title=UNC's Andrew Alirez captures wrestling national championship |url=https://www.9news.com/article/sports/ncaa/andrew-alirez-captures-ncaa-wrestling-national-championship/73-7b28775e-3465-46f3-bf60-52cb92b99bbd |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=KUSA.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

The top-recruit in the country, Alirez committed to the [[University of Northern Colorado]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-14 |title=Greeley Central’s Andrew Alirez stays true to his word and signs with University of Northern Colorado |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2018/11/14/greeley-centrals-andrew-alirez-stays-true-to-his-word-and-signs-with-university-of-northern-colorado/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Greeley Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== University of Northern Colorado ===

==== 2019–2020 ====
At the beginning of the year, Alirez recorded a fourth-place finish at the Dave Schultz Memorial International in [[Freestyle wrestling|freestyle]], with a notable win over [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships#Individual champions|two-time NCAA champion]] [[Dean Heil]] .<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-01-26 |title=Greeley Central’s Alirez wrestles to fourth place at Dave Schultz Memorial International |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2019/01/26/greeley-centrals-alirez-wrestles-to-fourth-place-at-dave-schultz-memorial-international/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Greeley Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> Back to [[Collegiate wrestling|folkstyle]], Alirez, a true freshman, took first at the Northern Colorado and the Cowboy Open tournaments, as well as second at the Southern Scuffle, during regular season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-01 |title=Alirez, Robertson Advance to Semifinals at Southern Scuffle |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2020/1/1/wrestling-alirez-robertson-advance-to-semifinals-at-southern-scuffle.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref>

After a fourth-place finish at the [[Big 12 Conference|Big 12]] Championships, it was announced that the NCAA National Championships had been cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], cutting his season short to end it with a 23–4 record.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Falk |first=Steven |title=NCAA Wrestling Championships: Tournament canceled due to coronavirus concerns |url=https://www.app.com/story/sports/college/rutgers/2020/03/12/ncaa-wrestling-championships-tournament-cancelled-due-coronavirus/5032438002/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Asbury Park Press |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-24 |title=Three Wrestlers Grab Scholar All-American Awards |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2020/4/24/wrestling-three-wrestlers-grab-scholar-all-american-awards.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref>

==== 2020–2021 ====
Before the season, Alirez claimed the US National Championship at 65 kilograms in freestyle, recording wins over US Open runner-up [[Joseph McKenna (wrestler)|Joseph McKenna]] and veteran Evan Henderson.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-12 |title=Alirez, Schwartz Put the Bears on the Map at Senior Nationals |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2020/10/12/wrestling-alirez-schwartz-put-the-bears-on-the-map-at-senior-nationals.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref> Back to folkstyle, Alirez went 4–0 during the season before surrendering to an injury, but still qualified for the [[2021 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA tournament]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Jadyn Watson-Fisher {{!}} Greeley |date=2021-03-11 |title=Andrew Alirez withdraws from 2021 NCAA Wrestling Championship |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2021/03/11/andrew-alirez-withdraws-from-2021-ncaa-wrestling-championship/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Greeley Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== 2021–2022 ====
After dropping down from 149 to 141 pounds, Alirez placed second and third respectively at the CKLV Invitational and the Southern Scuffle during regular season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-04 |title=Alirez Takes Second at CKLV |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2021/12/4/wrestling-alirez-takes-second-at-cklv.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-04 |title=Three Northern Colorado wrestlers place at annual Southern Scuffle |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2022/01/04/three-northern-colorado-wrestlers-place-southern-scuffle-2022/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=The Fort Morgan Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Alirez then claimed his first Big 12 Championship title with wins over highly ranked wrestlers, but fell short of All-American honors at the [[2022 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA National Championships]], ending his season with a 24–5 record.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Jadyn Watson-Fisher {{!}} Greeley |date=2022-03-19 |title=Andrew Alirez falls just short of podium, ends season at NCAA Tournament |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2022/03/18/northern-colorado-wrestling-andrew-alirez-ends-2022-ncaa-championship/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Greeley Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== 2022–2023 ====
During regular season, Alirez compiled an undefeated record and racked up titles from the Cougar Clash Invite and the Southern Scuffle.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-02 |title=Alirez Wins 141-Pound Championship at Southern Scuffle |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2023/1/2/wrestling-alirez-wins-141-pound-championship-at-southern-scuffle.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref> He then earned his second-straight Big 12 Championship before the National tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-05 |title=Poulin and Alirez are Big 12 Champs! |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2023/3/5/wrestling-recap.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref>

At the [[2023 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA tournament]], Alirez became the first [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships#Individual champions|NCAA Division I National champion]] in UNC's history, with hard-fought wins over [[Lachlan McNeil (wrestler)|Lachlan McNeil]] from [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|North Carolina]], [[Beau Bartlett]] from [[Penn State Univerisity|Penn State]] and Real Woods from [[University of Iowa]], to close out an undefeated season with 28 wins and no losses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Andrew Alirez inspired a new era for Northern Colorado wrestling {{!}} NCAA.com |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2023-09-19/how-andrew-alirez-inspired-new-era-northern-colorado-wrestling |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=www.ncaa.com |language=en}}</ref> After the season, he was named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Year, and was a [[Dan Hodge Trophy]] finalist.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-18 |title=Greeley Native Andrew Alirez Completes Perfect Season with NCAA 141-Pound Championship |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2023/3/18/wrestling-greeley-native-andrew-alirez-completes-perfect-season-with-ncaa-141-pound-championship.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref> Alirez then

In July, Alirez went back to freestyle to compete at the [[2023 Poland Open|Poland Open]], where he notably took out [[List of World and Olympic Champions in men's freestyle wrestling|three-time World Champion]] [[Haji Aliyev]] in the first round to advance and defeat All-American Josh Finesilver, and lastly, took a [[Forfeit (sport)|forfeit]] over [[Mikyay Naim]] to claim the title.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-31 |title=Alirez Wins Gold at Poland Open |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2023/7/31/wrestling-alirez-wins-gold-at-poland-open.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref>

In September, Alirez announced he would be using an Olympic redshirt for the 2023–2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-15 |title=Andrew Alirez to skip UNC wrestling season to train for Paris Olympics |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2023/09/15/andrew-alirez-to-skip-unc-wrestling-season-to-train-for-paris-olympics/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Greeley Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> On December, Alirez became a two-time US National champion in freestyle with wins over All-Americans [[Beau Bartlett]] and Austin DeSanto and US Open champion [[Alec Pantaleo]], qualifying for the 2024 US Olympic Team Trials.

==== 2024 ====


== Freestyle record ==
== Freestyle record ==

Revision as of 00:52, 17 December 2023

Andrew Alirez
Personal information
Full nameAndrew Michael Alirez
NationalityAmerican
Born (2000-08-19) August 19, 2000 (age 24)
Home townGreeley, Colorado, U.S.
Weight141 lb (64 kg)
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportWrestling
Event(s)Freestyle and Folkstyle
ClubNorthern Colorado Wrestling Club
Coached byTroy Nickerson
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
US National Championships
Gold medal – first place 2023 Fort Worth 65 kg
Gold medal – first place 2020 Coralville 65 kg
U20 Pan American Championships
Gold medal – first place 2018 Fortaleza 65 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Northern Colorado Bears
NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Gold medal – first place 2023 Tulsa 141 lb
Big 12 Championships
Gold medal – first place 2023 Tulsa 141 lb
Gold medal – first place 2022 Tulsa 141 lb

Andrew Michael Alirez (born August 19, 2000) is an American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competes at 65 kilograms.[1] In freestyle, he is a two-time US National champion, and in folkstyle, he is an NCAA National champion at 141 pounds out of the University of Northern Colorado.[2]

Career

High school

Alirez attended to Greeley Central High School, where he was a four-time state champion, multiple-time US freestyle All-American and a U20 Pan American champion.[3]

The top-recruit in the country, Alirez committed to the University of Northern Colorado.[4]

University of Northern Colorado

2019–2020

At the beginning of the year, Alirez recorded a fourth-place finish at the Dave Schultz Memorial International in freestyle, with a notable win over two-time NCAA champion Dean Heil .[5] Back to folkstyle, Alirez, a true freshman, took first at the Northern Colorado and the Cowboy Open tournaments, as well as second at the Southern Scuffle, during regular season.[6]

After a fourth-place finish at the Big 12 Championships, it was announced that the NCAA National Championships had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cutting his season short to end it with a 23–4 record.[7][8]

2020–2021

Before the season, Alirez claimed the US National Championship at 65 kilograms in freestyle, recording wins over US Open runner-up Joseph McKenna and veteran Evan Henderson.[9] Back to folkstyle, Alirez went 4–0 during the season before surrendering to an injury, but still qualified for the NCAA tournament.[10]

2021–2022

After dropping down from 149 to 141 pounds, Alirez placed second and third respectively at the CKLV Invitational and the Southern Scuffle during regular season.[11][12] Alirez then claimed his first Big 12 Championship title with wins over highly ranked wrestlers, but fell short of All-American honors at the NCAA National Championships, ending his season with a 24–5 record.[13]

2022–2023

During regular season, Alirez compiled an undefeated record and racked up titles from the Cougar Clash Invite and the Southern Scuffle.[14] He then earned his second-straight Big 12 Championship before the National tournament.[15]

At the NCAA tournament, Alirez became the first NCAA Division I National champion in UNC's history, with hard-fought wins over Lachlan McNeil from North Carolina, Beau Bartlett from Penn State and Real Woods from University of Iowa, to close out an undefeated season with 28 wins and no losses.[16] After the season, he was named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Year, and was a Dan Hodge Trophy finalist.[17] Alirez then

In July, Alirez went back to freestyle to compete at the Poland Open, where he notably took out three-time World Champion Haji Aliyev in the first round to advance and defeat All-American Josh Finesilver, and lastly, took a forfeit over Mikyay Naim to claim the title.[18]

In September, Alirez announced he would be using an Olympic redshirt for the 2023–2024 season.[19] On December, Alirez became a two-time US National champion in freestyle with wins over All-Americans Beau Bartlett and Austin DeSanto and US Open champion Alec Pantaleo, qualifying for the 2024 US Olympic Team Trials.

2024

Freestyle record

Senior Freestyle Matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location
2023 US Nationals 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 65 kg
Win 16–2 United States Beau Bartlett December 16–17, 2023 2023 US Senior Nationals

United States Fort Worth, Texas

Win 15–2 United States Alec Pantaleo 4–3
Win 14–2 United States Austin DeSanto TF 10–0
Win 13–2 United States Henry Porter TF 10–0
2023 Poland Open 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 65 kg
Win Bulgaria Mikyay Naim FF July 26–30, 2023 2023 Poland Open

Poland Warsaw, Poland

Win 12–2 Israel Josh Finesilver TF 10–0
Win 11–2 Azerbaijan Haji Aliyev 8–0
2020 US Nationals 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 65 kg
Win 10–2 United States Evan Henderson 5–1 October 9–11, 2020 2020 US Senior Nationals

United States Coralville, Iowa

Win 9–2 United States Yahya Thomas 7–1
Win 8–2 United States Joseph McKenna 6–4
Win 7–2 United States Mitch McKee 11–5
Win 6–2 United States Josh Heil TF 10–0
Win 5–2 United States Lawrence Saenz TF 10–0
2019 Dave Schultz Memorial 4th at 65 kg
Loss 4–2 United States Bryce Meredith 2–7 January 24–26, 2019 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial International

United States Colorado Springs, Colorado

Win 4–1 United States Dean Heil 12–4
Win 3–1 United States Jordin Humphrey TF 10–0
Win 2–1 United States Joey Lazor 8–2
Loss 1–1 United States Bryce Meredith 7–8
Win 1–0 Canada Adam MacFadyen TF 10–0

References

  1. ^ "Despite team's bus being showered with bullets, Greeley Central's Andrew Alirez unflappable, winning Pan Am wrestling title in Brazil". Greeley Tribune. 2018-09-01. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  2. ^ "Greeley Native Andrew Alirez Completes Perfect Season with NCAA 141-Pound Championship". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2023-03-18. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  3. ^ "UNC's Andrew Alirez captures wrestling national championship". KUSA.com. 2023-03-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  4. ^ "Greeley Central's Andrew Alirez stays true to his word and signs with University of Northern Colorado". Greeley Tribune. 2018-11-14. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  5. ^ "Greeley Central's Alirez wrestles to fourth place at Dave Schultz Memorial International". Greeley Tribune. 2019-01-26. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  6. ^ "Alirez, Robertson Advance to Semifinals at Southern Scuffle". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2020-01-01. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  7. ^ Falk, Steven. "NCAA Wrestling Championships: Tournament canceled due to coronavirus concerns". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  8. ^ "Three Wrestlers Grab Scholar All-American Awards". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2020-04-24. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  9. ^ "Alirez, Schwartz Put the Bears on the Map at Senior Nationals". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2020-10-12. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  10. ^ Tribune, Jadyn Watson-Fisher | Greeley (2021-03-11). "Andrew Alirez withdraws from 2021 NCAA Wrestling Championship". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  11. ^ "Alirez Takes Second at CKLV". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2021-12-04. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  12. ^ "Three Northern Colorado wrestlers place at annual Southern Scuffle". The Fort Morgan Times. 2022-01-04. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  13. ^ Tribune, Jadyn Watson-Fisher | Greeley (2022-03-19). "Andrew Alirez falls just short of podium, ends season at NCAA Tournament". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  14. ^ "Alirez Wins 141-Pound Championship at Southern Scuffle". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2023-01-02. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  15. ^ "Poulin and Alirez are Big 12 Champs!". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  16. ^ "How Andrew Alirez inspired a new era for Northern Colorado wrestling | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  17. ^ "Greeley Native Andrew Alirez Completes Perfect Season with NCAA 141-Pound Championship". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2023-03-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  18. ^ "Alirez Wins Gold at Poland Open". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2023-07-31. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  19. ^ "Andrew Alirez to skip UNC wrestling season to train for Paris Olympics". Greeley Tribune. 2023-09-15. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
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