Ali Bernard wins national title; ranked No. 1 in nation

By ANDY ROGERS

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- New Ulm Public's Ali Bernard won the National Folkstyle Individual Wrestling Championship in her weight class in Lake Orion, Michigan last weekend.

Fifteen-year-old Bernard pinned all seven of her opponents (one forfeited), and helped Team Minnesota to a second place finish in the National Championship for girls high school wrestling.

"Last year I got third, and it was a big goal of mine to get it this year," Bernard said.

This was definitely the highlight of her career she says.

"There were some pretty tough girls," Bernard said. "Although I probably have better competition on varsity (at New Ulm High)."

Bernard is also the No. 1 ranked Folk and Freestyle female wrestler at in the nation, according to sources.

She currently ranked No. 1 in the nation in both Freestyle and Folk wrestling. She currently ranked No.1 in both the FILA Cadet division (15-17 year olds) and and No. 1 by USA Wrestling in Junior division (grades-9-12).

She also grabbed the United States Girls Wrestling Association Minnesota State championship March 17 at Kimball High School to qualify for the tournament in Michigan. She was named "Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament."

She is a three-time defending Minnesota USA state champion. She's also reigning Cadet National Champion.

Bernard went to the meet as a member of the New Ulm Rolling Thunder Wrestling Club.

According to Kevin Orr, she has aspirations of wrestling in college and representing the United States in the Olympics, which has been added to the next Olympics.

"She's certainly being considered for the Olympics," Orr said. "She's already nationally known. It may be next year, or it may be in four years when she's in college."

Bernard has considered trying out.

"I've been thinking about it. Hopefully I'd like to try out for the team, but nothing is for sure yet," Bernard said.

She's also considering wrestling in college, but she is undecided.

"She's certainly very determined," Orr said. "She takes her practices very seriously and she has a lot of support from her family and friends. I think that's going to take her a long way."

She had a welcome home party Monday, which she was grateful for.