OTTAWA, Ont. - Canadian Interuniversity Sport has named University of Regina wrestler Ali Bernard its Female Athlete of the Week following her strong showing at the 2007 Canada West Wrestling Championships last weekend in Saskatoon.

Bernard cruised to her third career gold medal last weekend at the Canada West meet in Saskatoon, defeating all four of her opponents in the 72-kilogram class. She pinned her opponents from Calgary, Simon Fraser, and Alberta, while her opposition from Saskatchewan was forced to withdraw due to injury.

The third-year wrestler from New Ulm, Minn. was also named the Canada West Outstanding Female Wrestler, an award she also earned in 2005. 

She becomes the first Cougar to win the CIS Female Athlete of the Week honour. University of Regina Rams Teale Orban, Chris Getzlaf, and Steve Ryan each received CIS Football Player of the Week awards earlier this season.

Bernard is a two-time Junior World Champion for the United States, winning gold medals in 2003 and 2005. She was also a 2006 Junior World bronze medalist.

Bernard, the 2005 and 2006 University of Regina Female Athlete of the Year, will attempt to win her third gold medal in as many tries at the CIS Championships, scheduled for March 2 and 3 in Saskatoon.