LITTLE ROCK — Fayetteville guard gives UA women her word
Fayetteville point guard Calli Berna made an oral commitment to the Arkansas women’s basketball team Sunday and plans to sign during the early signing period in November.
Berna, 5-9 1/2, chose the Razorbacks over scholarship offers from Iowa State, Oral Roberts, Arkansas State and UALR. She averaged about 15 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals a game last year.
“I think Coach [Tom] Collen is a great coach,” said Berna, who was offered a scholarship by Arkansas as a sophomore. “He has a great background of having great programs. I want to be close to my family. I can’t remember any games my parents haven’t attended, and if they weren’t there, my grandparents and my brother were there.
“I just don’t want to randomly decide that they’re going to be able to make my games when they can. I think it’s important for my family to be there.”
Berna’s older brother, Colby, is a redshirt freshman offensive lineman at Arkansas. She said her brother will be able to show her the ropes when she gets on campus.
“Whenever my brother was offered by Arkansas, he knew where he would be and he always wanted to be a Razorback all his life,” Berna said. “He’s going to be able to watch me play, and I’m going to be there to watch him.”
Oral commitments are nonbinding.
GOLF
Ex-Hog Lingmerth wins, team loses
Former Arkansas Razorback David Lingmerth of Sweden picked up a second point for the Europeans in the Palmer Cup, but the United States won the international collegiate event, 13-11, at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Portrush, Northern Ireland.
Lingmerth defeated Jonathan Randolph of Ole Miss, 2-up, to go 2-2 in his four Palmer Cup matches. Lingmerth lost the first two as a member of a doubles team before sweeping his two singles matches.
Sports, Pages 17 on 06/28/2010