NCAA Wrestling national champion Andrew Alirez announces return to Northern Colorado

Former Northern Colorado wrestling national champion Andrew Alirez announced his commitment to return to the Bears on Instagram.

Evoking Leonardo DiCaprio’s role in The Wolf of Wall Street, Alirez isn’t going anywhere after he previously entered the transfer portal. “The show goes on.”

Alirez released a statement on his Instagram story, thanking Northern Colorado for its support.

“I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each and every member of the University of Northern Colorado program for their unwavering support and dedication through the years,” Alirez wrote. “Your tireless efforts have not only made this re-signing possible, but have also paved the way for my continued growth and success for years for come.

“The University of Northern Colorado has become more than just a place of education and athletics; it’s a family. Thank you for embracing me with open arms, for believing in my potential, and for providing me with the tools and opportunities to excel, both on and off the mat. I am honored and privileged to be a part of such a loyal team, and I look forward to representing the Bears with pride and determination for years to come. This is home.”

He took a redshirt year in 2023-24 to focus on the Olympics, although he came up short at the Trials earlier in April. He has a 72-10 career record.

During his first year on campus, Alirez was a 2020 NCAA qualifier, going 19-4, but the tournament was canceled at the beginning of the pandemic.

He went 4-1 during the shortened 2021 campaign, but medically forfeited out of the Big 12 Tournament.

The 2022 tournament saw more success for Alirez as he finished the season 22-5 but fell one win shy of All-American status.

It was the following year where he jumped levels. Alirez went 27-0 en route to a national title at 141 pounds, beating Iowa’s Real Woods 6-4 in the final.

“I wanted to go to a place where wrestling is really supported. You win a national title here in Greeley, Colorado, and they love you. And I’ve felt that love throughout the community,” Alirez said. “I came here to get the ball rolling on a program I believed in, and now you’re starting to see it. We constantly, every year, get top 100 recruits in the country, we’ve gotten guys who are top 20 in the country, or in their weight class, are No. 1 in the country. We’re getting guys and moving in the right direction.” 

Going into an Olympic year, Alirez went full throttle in his attempt to represent Team USA. Although he fell short, Alirez has the opportunity to win one more national title before it’s all said and done.

“I believe in my skills,” Alirez said of his decision to take an Olympic redshirt. “I know this was the path set out for me. I know it’s almost a predetermined destiny. It’s just my job to do what I’ve got to do, to stay on the path and go get it done.”

Following the Olympic Trials, Alirez planned to finish his degree at Northern Colorado. He still has one year of eligibility remaining for graduate school due to having a COVID year in 2021.

Once his wrestling career is over, Alirez plans to pursue boxing like his father and uncles.

“You start something, you finish it,” Alirez said.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.