Bernard gets 5th place - and revenge

By BOB VARMETTE

Journal Sports Writer

ST. PAUL -- Revenge.

And don't even think for a second that it wasn't a factor. New Ulm High's Andy Bernard wanted this one badly.

The Eagles' senior 189-pounder finished his high school career Saturday with a 5-3 decision over Mike Peterson of Bemidji at the Class 3A individual wrestling tournament at Xcel Energy Center. The win earned Bernard fifth place, and revenge.

Peterson previously won a controversial 2-1 double overtime decision over Bernard -- a quarterfinal match Thursday evening decided by an official's call with just five seconds remaining.

"This should have happened the first time around," Bernard said. "It was mine."

Bernard (37-3) said he did nothing different in the rematch. And he said neither did Peterson, who entered the tournament the top-ranked 189-pounder in Class 3A.

"He was exactly the same, he stalled like crazy," Bernard said.

Ironically, it was a stall call, with Bernard just five seconds away from gaining the semifinals, that gave Peterson the victory Thursday. Bernard was riding Peterson after the Pioneer senior had the choice to start the second overtime and chose the down position. The two went out of bounds and the official ruled that Bernard pushed Peterson; Bernard had previously received a stall warning.

"We got it right this time, the winner was decided this time in real wrestling," New Ulm High coach Dar Arndt said. "I'm really happy for Andy that the loss got avenged. ... He went to school on that first match and he found that kid's weakness."

As it was in the first match, the first period was a draw -- a scoreless draw. Bernard was up to start the second period and Peterson engineered an escape 10 seconds into the period for a 1-0 lead.

But that's where this match and the previous match diverged. With 1:11 remaining in the second period, Bernard used his "Front Head" move for a takedown and a 2-1 lead. Bernard didn't let Peterson get away the remainder of the period.

Down to start the final two minutes, Bernard got a quick escape three seconds in for a 3-1 lead. The match became a stalemate again and Bernard and Peterson battled each standing up, twice sending themselves out.

Bernard controlled the final seconds. He again went to the "Front Head" and took Peterson down with just 10 seconds left for a 5-2 advantage; Peterson got an inconsequential escape with two seconds on the clock.

"After (the first period), it was mine," Bernard said. "That kid, he's not conditioned. So after the first period and it's 0-0, it's my match.

"We condition to wrestle the third period. Kids like that really don't."

Bernard rebounded from a disastrous start to the day. Kyle Massey of Circle Pines Centennial pinned Bernard in 2:21 during the morning wrestlebacks session.

Bernard ends his career with 121 victories. He went 4-2 in his third trip to the state individual tournament and placed for the first time.

"We will truly miss this guy in our lineup," Arndt said. "It's a great statement of his character that he was able to put that adversity aside and win a medal at the state tournament."

Said Bernard:

"It was a hell of a lot of fun. It was a great way to end my career."