Takedown Report

Andrew Alirez named Greeley Tribune’s UNC Male Athlete of the Year after historic season

By JADYN WATSON-FISHER | jwatson-fisher@greeleytribune.com | Greeley Tribune

A list of people the Denver Nuggets and their fanbase should thank for the NBA Championship: Nikola Jokić and, apparently, Andrew Alirez.
The University of Northern Colorado wrestling program earned its first national title since 1999, when Scott Hewit won on the Division II level. Alirez beat Iowa’s Real Woods in March.
The Greeley native was in the house for Game 5 of the NBA Finals last week, and he knew it was finally the Nuggets’ opportunity. He’d experienced that glory on a smaller scale with his own championship. He might also know a little something about coincidences.
“I’m a big believer in, ‘History repeats itself.’ The year (2015-16) I won my first state title, the Broncos won the Super Bowl,” Alirez said. “I was on my path (this season), and I was like, ‘Damn. Number one in the country. I don’t see nobody beating me. The Nuggets are doing good. This is probably their year.’
“Then, after I won, I was like ‘Watch, the Nuggets are winning it.’”
Alirez laughed and said he would’ve “bet the house on it” if he could’ve. Maybe once he graduates and has a place of his own. It just felt like all the stars were aligning.
His home state’s team won the first championship in franchise history, and it seemed like everyone finally let out a collective breath. That sort of describes Alirez’s whole career. … rest pf story at … Greeleytribune.com/2023/06/20/northern-colorado-male-athlete-of-year-andrew-alirez

June 22, 2023 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized