New Ulm wrestler Bernard wins a trip to Beijing

LAS VEGAS - As the official raised Ali Bernard's arm, signaling the victory Friday night that earned her a berth in the 2008 Olympics, the New Ulm wrestler appeared stunned. Her mother, Susan, broke down in tears in the stands at Thomas and Mack Center.

Bernard, 22, ran to her mom and hugged her in gratitude for the support that made her an Olympian. She began her career wrestling on the boys' team at New Ulm High School, moved on to the University of Regina in Saskatchewan and now is on her way to Beijing with three other women who won their weight classes on the first day of the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Bernard defeated former University of Minnesota-Morris wrestler Katie Downing in two consecutive matches to win the best-of-three format in the 158.5-pound weight class. She will join Clarissa Chun, who scored a huge upset of 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Patricia Miranda, as well as Marcie Van Dusen and Randi Miller on the Olympic team.

"I'm pumped. I'm stunned,'' said Bernard, a two-time U.S. champion and four-time Canadian college champ. "I was in a zone. I feel really great. The younger generation wanted it really bad.''

Bernard gained confidence when she defeated Downing to win the U.S. title in April. After taking time off last summer, she returned to the sport revitalized.

As the national champ, Bernard advanced automatically to the finals. Downing roared through Friday's challenge tournament, dominating her opponents in three matches and pinning two-time world champion Kristie Marano to earn the right to a rematch with Bernard.

Bernard won the first match 2-0, 2-2, 1-0. She took the second match 3-2, 1-4, 1-0, scoring with two seconds left.

All four women's winners captured their Beijing berths with consecutive victories. Miranda, who beat Chun in the finals of the 2004 trials at 105.5 pounds, is a seven-time national champion and one of the best-known U.S. female wrestlers. Chun swept her Friday, twice scoring points in the final seconds to claim her first trip to the Olympics.

In a battle of former University of Minnesota-Morris wrestlers, Van Dusen won two matches over Sally Roberts to make her first Olympic team at 121 pounds. At 138.75 pounds, Miller beat 2004 Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann with two victories in a row.

Spenser Mango became the first Greco-Roman wrestler to claim his 2008 Olympic spot by defeating Sam Hazwinkel at 121 pounds.

In the 105.5-pound class, Chun wrestled three matches to make the final, while Miranda automatically advanced. The competition sharpened Chun, a Honolulu native who now lives in Colorado Springs, to the point where she had to try and calm herself.

She scored three points in the final seconds of her first match to win it 4-0, 0-6, 3-1. Chun repeated those late heroics in the second match, scoring three on a double-leg takedown to erase Miranda's 1-0 lead in the second period and win 1-0, 3-1.

Chun leapt into the arms of coach Keith Wilson, celebrating her first victory over Miranda since 2002. "I knew I could do it,'' she said. "I had to just grit my teeth and get it done. My coach has been working with me to be stubborn, to not give up. I'm so happy. It's my time.''