Andrew Alirez
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| Full name | Andrew Michael Alirez | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | American | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | August 19, 2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home town | Greeley, Colorado, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 141 lb (64 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Wrestling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | Freestyle and Folkstyle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Northern Colorado Wrestling Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Troy Nickerson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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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 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
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.[20]
2024
In April, Alirez competed at the
Freestyle record
NCAA stats
References
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Greeley Native Andrew Alirez Completes Perfect Season with NCAA 141-Pound Championship". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2023-03-18. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
- ^ "UNC's Andrew Alirez captures wrestling national championship". KUSA.com. 2023-03-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Greeley Central's Alirez wrestles to fourth place at Dave Schultz Memorial International". Greeley Tribune. 2019-01-26. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "Alirez, Robertson Advance to Semifinals at Southern Scuffle". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2020-01-01. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ Falk, Steven. "NCAA Wrestling Championships: Tournament canceled due to coronavirus concerns". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "Three Wrestlers Grab Scholar All-American Awards". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2020-04-24. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "Alirez, Schwartz Put the Bears on the Map at Senior Nationals". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2020-10-12. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ Tribune, Jadyn Watson-Fisher | Greeley (2021-03-11). "Andrew Alirez withdraws from 2021 NCAA Wrestling Championship". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "Alirez Takes Second at CKLV". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2021-12-04. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "Three Northern Colorado wrestlers place at annual Southern Scuffle". The Fort Morgan Times. 2022-01-04. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Alirez Wins 141-Pound Championship at Southern Scuffle". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2023-01-02. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "Poulin and Alirez are Big 12 Champs!". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "How Andrew Alirez inspired a new era for Northern Colorado wrestling | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "Greeley Native Andrew Alirez Completes Perfect Season with NCAA 141-Pound Championship". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2023-03-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "Alirez Wins Gold at Poland Open". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2023-07-31. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "Andrew Alirez to skip UNC wrestling season to train for Paris Olympics". Greeley Tribune. 2023-09-15. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "Greeley's Andrew Alirez qualifies for U.S. Olympic Team wrestling trials". Greeley Tribune. 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
- ^ "Andrew Alirez's bid for Olympic wrestling team ends in semifinal match at US trials". Greeley Tribune. 2024-04-20. Retrieved 2024-04-21.