Courtesy Oklahoma State Athletics

IRVING, Texas – The Big 12 Conference has added six affiliate members to its postseason wrestling competition as Air Force, Northern Colorado, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming will join Iowa State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and West Virginia in future Big 12 Wrestling Championships.

“I’m so fired up that the conference has moved in this direction and I’m really excited about the opportunities that we have in wrestling now,” Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith said. “Adding six additional teams is going to strengthen our conference and help us to be more competitive at a national level. I really appreciate the stance that the Big 12 and Commissioner Bob Bowlsby have taken.”

The affiliate member additions are effective beginning with the 2015-16 academic year. Affiliate members will compete for the Conference’s postseason championship and the league’s automatic qualification to NCAA postseason competition.

The 10-team Big 12 Championship will shift to a neutral site and expand to a two-day event with the 2016 championship set for March 5-6, at Sprint Center in Kansas City.

“We are excited to announce the addition of affiliate members in sports where the league already maintains a strong competition level,” Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said. “The additional institutions will improve and strengthen what are already strong postseason events for the Big 12.”