Press release from Northern Colorado.

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado sophomore wrestler Andrew Alirez has withdrawn from the 2021 NCAA Championships. Alirez, who qualified as an at-large selection, will not compete at the championships due to an injury sustained in practice prior to the Big 12 Championships.

"My heart breaks for Andrew. He had a tremendous fall and start to the season and was ready to compete for the NCAA title this season," said head coach Troy Nickerson. "We look forward to getting him back to 100%."

The Greeley native is a two-time NCAA qualifier and will have a chance to be a five-time qualifier as the NCAA has already announced this year as a zero year. None of this year's wrestlers lose eligibility for competing in the 2021 season.

Taking Alirez' spot in the bracket is Utah Valley's Cameron Hunsaker, a sophomore with a 9-7 record and a win over Stanford's Jaden Abas. 

WRE | Cameron Hunsaker's officially in, UVU will now send four wrestlers to nationals. Hunsaker was named an injury replacement on Thursday. #UVU #GoUVU #UVUWrestling #Big12WR https://t.co/AszST3w5uX

— UVU Athletics (@GoUVU) March 11, 2021

One weight class up, SIUE announced that Justin Ruffin has also withdrawn from the tournament due to injury. Ruffin was the #27, but suffered a shoulder injury at the MAC Championships. Oklahoma State announced on Twitter that Wyatt Sheets would be taking his place. 

Another Cowboy has been added to the NCAA Championship🚨

Wyatt Sheets has been added to the 157-pound bracket and will make his first tournament appearance in St. Louis!!#DynastyDefined I #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/acn36lNGz6

— OSU Cowboy Wrestling (@CowboyWrestling) March 11, 2021

The NCAA has not announced if the brackets will change or if Sheets will just take Ruffin's spot in the bracket.