Ali Bernard (New Ulm, Minn./Gator WC) has been named by USA Wrestling as its nominee to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team in women’s freestyle wrestling at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.

2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials champion Stephany Lee has accepted a one-year suspension from the U.S. Anti Doping Agency, based upon a positive test at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling in Iowa City, Iowa. on April 21, 2012. Lee tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol acid, a marijuana metabolite in the class of Cannabinoids,

Bernard had placed second at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at 72 kg/158.5 lbs., losing to Lee in the best-of-three Championship Series. Based upon the USADA ruling, Lee forfeits the results from the event and Bernard becomes the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials champion.

Ali Bernard is 26 years old. She placed fifth at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. She placed third in the 2011 World Championships and also competed in the 2009 World Championships.

She was a two-time Junior World champion (2003 and 2005) and won a 2012 University World Championships gold medal.

A graduate of New Ulm High School in Minnesota, Bernard attended college in Canada, winning five CIS Canadian national titles competing for the University of Regina and the University of Alberta. 

It was Bernard who qualified the United States to compete at the Olympic Games at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. when she won the World bronze medal at her weight class in the 2011 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.

U.S. Olympic Team nominees are subject to USOC Board approval.

The 72 kg/158.5 lbs. weight class in women’s wrestling will be contested on Thursday, August 9 at the ExCel Center in London, England.

72 KG/158.5 LBS. WOMEN’S FREESTYLE

ALI BERNARD, New Ulm, Minn. (Gator WC)
Third in 2011 World Championships… Fifth in 2008 Olympic Games… 2009 U.S. World Team member… 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials champion… 2004, 2008 and 2011 U.S. Open champion… Two-time Junior World champion (2003, 2005)… 2010 University World champion… Third in 2006 Junior World Championships… Second in 2005 and 2010 U.S. World Team Trials… 2010 Pan American Championships champion… Second in 2005 U.S. Open… Third in 2006 U.S. Open… Ninth in 2005 World University Games… 2003-04 Junior Nationals champion… 2003 FILA Junior Nationals champion… 2003 FILA Cadet Nationals champion… Five-time CIS Canadian college national champion… 2008, 2010 and 2011 Hargobind International champion (Canada)… 2004, 2005 and 2006 Clansmen International champion (Canada)… TheMat.com/ASICS Girls High School Wrestler of the Year… College: Univ. of Alberta, Univ. of Regina… High School: New Ulm, Minn…. Born: April 11, 1986… Age: 26