U.S. women’s wrestler Ali Bernard receives numerous awards in Canadian college wrestling
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
04/14/2005
Ali Bernard (New Ulm, Minn./Rolling Thunder) has made a name in women's wrestling on the national and international levels. In 2003, she won a Junior World title for the United States. In 2004, she was a U.S. Senior Nationals champion at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. This year, Bernard was a freshman on the women's wrestling team at the Univ. of Regina in Canada, the top recruit for the program. In just one short season, she has made a major impact on Canadian college wrestling. She is coached at Regina by Leo McGee. The Univ. of Regina announced last week that Bernard was named the "Most Outstanding Female Athlete" and the "Female Rookie of the Year" at the university, in comparison with all women athletes in all sports at Regina. The criteria for Most Outstanding Athlete includes achieving a minimum academic standard, evidence of outstanding athletic achievement this season, and displaying the leadership qualities and character of an outstanding student-athlete. Bernard had a very successful season at Regina, winning the gold medal at 80 kg at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) National Championships, which is the college national tournament in Canada. Bernard was also named CIS Rookie of the Year for women's wrestling after winning the event. Bernard also excelled at the Canada West Championships, which serves as the qualifying tournament for the CIS Championships. Bernard won the gold medal at the Canada West Championships, and was named Outstanding Female Wrestler at the tournament. Canada West wrestling coaches also selected Bernard as the Canada West Rookie of the Year. Among the other events that she won on the Canadian college circuit this year were the Cougar Open and the Clansman International Open. Bernard is no stranger to major national awards. In 2004, she was named TheMat.com/ASICS Girls High School Wrestler of the Year, the top honor within U.S. girls high school wrestling. This past weekend, Bernard won a gold medal at the FILA Junior National Championships, earning a spot on the 2005 U.S. Junior World Team which will compete in Lithuania this summer. This will allow her to attempt to win a second career Junior World title for the United States.