Seven Northern Colorado wrestlers, including two additions, earned spots on the second NCAA coaches poll ahead of the conference championship.

Sophomore Andrew Alirez (149 pounds) and senior Dalton Robertson (285) made their debuts on the 2021 rankings at No. 20 and No. 32 in their respective weight classes.

Alirez and Robertson missed several weeks of the season due to injuries and competed for the first time since January at the Air Force round robin meet last week. Both compete in just one bout each but recorded wins.

Senior Alan Clothier (184) and junior Chris Sandoval (141) rose in the rankings, both moving up two spots. Clothier clocked in at No. 18 and Sandoval now ranks No. 30.

Three Bears dropped slightly from last week. Sophomore Mosha Schwartz (133) fell to No. 15, three spots from last week. Junior Jackson Hemauer (174) and senior Jacob Seely (197) each dropped two spots to No. 24 and No. 26, respectively.

Sandoval went 4-0, the best record for the Bears, at the Air Force round robin last week, while Seeley went 3-0.

Rankings are determined by a vote for 14 coaches for each weight class, which must include two head coaches from each conference. Only athletes who have been designated starters for their respective weight classes may be considered.

UNC is listed at No. 8 in the NWCA/NDS Mid-Major poll going into the Big 12 Championship. The team dropped out of the NWCA rankings, but it broke into the top 25 earlier this season for the first time in 51 years. The Bears topped out at No. 20 in January, but they have received votes since then.

Northern Colorado will compete for the conference title and spots at the NCAA Championship on March 6 and 7. Last year, five Bears qualified for the national meet.

Fans can watch the conference action, leading up to the championship matches, on Big 12 Now via ESPN+. ESPN2 will broadcast the final matches.