National title for Bernard

NEW ULM -- Ali Bernard of New Ulm is a young lady who sets her goals high.

Last weekend, the daughter of Rocky and Sue Bernard attained the highest goal possible when she won the Women's FILA Cadet National Title in the 65-kg (143-pound) class at Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio.

Bernard, who entered the tournament unranked, rolled through her three matches -- including decisioning the second-ranked wrestler in the nation, Heather Martin of Wellington, Ohio, 10-6 to earn the title.

Martin would come back to capture second place behind Bernard.

Bernard, who will be a sophomore at New Ulm High next year, also pinned Nikki Cabalerro of Milan, Mich. in 1:58, and then won by a technical fall (10-0) over Joan Mahm of Eugene, Ore.

"I was pretty excited when I won the (national) crown," said Bernard, who hopes to earn a spot on the Eagle varsity mat team next year. "The matches were pretty tough. My first match (against Martin) was probably my toughest; she was rated second in the nation."

She said that after her first match, "I got more pumped and it seemed like the other (matches) got easier.

" I think that my wrestling on the boys team last year really helped me a lot," she said. "There are some girls who wrestle boys in high school and they are just as good as them. If you wrestle just girls, you really do not improve a lot. You need to face that tough competition."

Bernard said that she will probably not go to anymore wrestling tournaments and rather concentrate on fast pitch softball, where she is an outstanding catcher.

SPELBRINKS, STATE TOURNAMENT A TRADITION: When New Ulm High goes to a state baseball tournament, chances are pretty good that there will be a Spelbrink on the team.

That is proven this year as Craig becomes the fourth Spelbrink to wear the purple and white in the big show.

He was preceded by Dick and Ronnie in the early years and then Doug in 1966-68 where he led the Eagles to a third-place finish in 1966. "I remember pitching and being in awe of the Twin City teams," said Doug, now living in Coon Rapids and making plans to watch his alma mater in their 16th state tournament appearance under coach Jim Senske. "If I had to tell (Craig) one thing I would tell him to just enjoy the moment; it is something that he will remember the rest of his life."

Doug had a career pitching record of 17-6 for the Eagles.

Bob, Craig's father, also played baseball for NUHS and his uncle, Frank Whitcomb, was a member of the 1969 team that finished second to Albany in a memorable 1-0, 12-inning loss.

The Eagles have won two runners-up, seven third-place finishes and four consolation crowns.

NEW COACH TO BE NAMED: New Ulm High will be naming a new girls varsity basketball coach soon to replace Paul Meyer. The person has been selected but contracts have not been signed, so the new coach's name cannot yet be made public.