1.   Along the way, he was a first-team member of the All-NBA squad, and earned his first All-Star berth.

2.   Among those seeking their first Ryder Cup berths are Durant, David Toms, Rocco Mediate, Frank Lickliter and Scott Verplank, a Dallas native.

3.   As a result, Stone earned his first Pro Bowl berth.

4.   Before the Mets moved into position for their first postseason berth of the darkening decade, Valentine was a beleaguered manager looking to make some kind of statement.

5.   Brooks insists he will not be haunted by thoughts of what might have been if he fails in his quest to secure his first Ryder Cup berth.

6.   Each country was seeking its first European Championships berth since gaining independence after the fall of the Iron Curtain.

7.   Explain why this team is looking for its first berth in the Western Conference finals in seven years.

8.   For Nowitzki and Nash, the excitement of earning their first All-Star berths is in being able to share in the moments together.

9.   Four months later that analysis paid off, UConn earning its first Final Four berth here on Saturday by transforming itself into the basketball equivalent of Sybil.

10.   He also earned his first All-Star Game berth last season and won an Olympic gold medal in September.