Northern Colorado wrestling logs six pins
Spring is right around the corner, but the University of Northern Colorado wrestling team was all about the fall in its commanding senior day win.
No. 22 UNC (13-5, 3-5 Big 12) defeated No. 28 Air Force (8-5, 3-5 Big 12), 37-9, behind four pins. It was an especially big victory after the team’s 22-20 loss at Utah Valley last week.
Bears coach Troy Nickerson said the effort in the previous two duals didn’t meet expectations as the wrestlers began to feel some of the burnout and fatigue.
“Maybe poor scheduling on my part, but it happens and you need to be able to dig deep and get through those situations,” Nickerson said. “After Utah Valley, we took about three days off — the entire team — and really recovered, rested. I think we looked pretty good tonight.”
Junior Jace Koelzer (133 pounds) got the pin party started with a comeback win. He faced a 6-0 deficit but turned that into a late fall.
No. 1 Andrew Alirez (141) also pinned his opponent, but not before putting other points on the board.
“It’s always a lot of fun to go out there, get a couple of takedowns, get a pin and entertain the crowd,” the junior said. “Sometimes, this might be the only dual (fans) are coming to watch, so I’m toeing the line and trying to put on a performance every time I go out there. Hopefully, the fans got their money’s worth.”
Graduate students Chris Sandoval (149) and Andrew Berreyesa (174) won by fall in their respective matches, leaving Greeley with one final home victory.
Nickerson emphasizes recruiting local athletes, specifically trying to nab the best ones in northern Colorado. In his first several years, he landed in-state recruits and even guys from Weld County.
Sandoval, however, was Nickerson’s first recruit from Greeley and played a key role in laying the foundation for what fans are seeing today.
Nickerson said some of the alumni have told him they don’t think they could make the current roster, but he reminds them they “mean everything to this program.” Sandoval will be able to say the same when he’s done.
Beyond Sandoval’s personal contributions on the mat and as a team leader, his commitment to the program helped start the current era.
Alirez said the two worked out together in high school, even though they didn’t wrestle in the same program.
Sandoval’s participation on the roster was one of the reasons Alirez ultimately committed to his hometown program.
“Having him 100% gave me more confidence and being able to be like, ‘Hey, I’m gonna come to UNC. I’ll be fine. I’ve got good partners, good coaches, good everything,’” Alirez said. “It did play a big part in the growth of this program and for myself. It’s been a blessing having him here.”
The Bears will have a couple weeks off before the Big 12 Tournament. Pre-seeds should be released in the coming week. Alirez, Berreyesa and Stevo Poulin (125) will likely automatically qualify for the NCAA Tournament, with several others in a position to earn a spot via the conference championship.
“Now it’s time to really go out there and go get it. I’m really excited for everybody,” Alirez said. “I think we’re in a great spot. I’ve been around this program since eighth grade, and we’ve got competitors. We’ve got guys who, under the brightest lights, are going to go out there and shine.”
125 No. 19 Stevo Poulin (UNC) won by dec. over Tucker Owens (AF), 6-0;
133 Jace Koelzer (UNC) won by fall over Nick Krug (AF), 5:49;
141 No. 1 Andrew Alirez (UNC) won by fall over Bryce Shelton (AF), 3:40;
149 Chris Sandoval (UNC) won by fall over Alec Viduya (AF), 6:19;
157 No. 31 Vincent Zerban (UNC) won by dec. over Jack Ganos (AF), 6-0;
165 Baylor Fernandes (UNC) won by MD over Seamus Casey (AF), 12-2;
174 No. 30 Andrew Berreyesa (UNC) won by fall over Gage Musser (AF), 1:11;
184 Noah Blake (AF) won by tiebreaker over Andrew Donahue (UNC), 2-1;
197 Xavier Vasquez (UNC) won by dec. over Calvin Sund, 7-1;
285 No. 6 Wyatt Hendrickson won by fall over Xavier Doolin (UNC), 6:13;