Former SDSU volunteer assistant wrestling for Penn State
BROOKINGS – A former volunteer assistant wrestling coach for SDSU has returned to the mats. Brady Berge, who spent the fall semester coaching at SDSU, announced in early January that he would be returning to Penn State, where he was a former wrestler, to compete for one final season.
“Over the past months, I have felt that hunger to compete again. A desire to finish what I started and one final shot to accomplish a childhood dream,” Berge wrote in a statement posted to Twitter. “After many long and difficult discussions with loved ones, I have decided to take advantage of the opportunity to compete the remainder of this collegiate wrestling season.”
Berge, who spent the previous four years in State College, compiled a 31-9 career record competing for the Nittany Lions. A two-time NCAA qualifier, Berge had multiple seasons cut short due to injury. He medically retired from the sport following an injury at the 2021 NCAA Wrestling Tournament.
“This was not an easy decision as there are many unknowns, and I have developed outstanding relationships with South Dakota State University athletes, coaches, and supporters,” Berge wrote. “Coach Hahn has been nothing but supportive of me chasing this dream, and I am forever grateful for his approval.”
In season’s past, Berge had wrestled in the 157 lb. weight class but so far this year, has been placed in the 165 lb. weight class for Penn State.
Berge join’s a loaded Nittany Lions squad who is currently ranked number 1, according to the January 17 NWCA Coaches Poll.
On January 16, Berge made his return to the Big Ten with a 5-1 decision over Andrew Clark of Rutgers. Penn State ended up winning he dual over the 14th ranked Scarlet Knights, 27-11.
“Obviously, [he’s] a very talented wrestler, and he’s been a gamer for us. He’s been clutch in big moments,” Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson said to StateCollege.com following the dual with Rutgers. “Things haven’t really gone his way, but he’s pushed through those things. When he’s gotten knocked down, he’s gotten back up.”
A week late, Berge entered the 165 lb. weight class rankings as the number 16 wrestler in the country (for that weight class). On January 21, Penn State visited the 3rd ranked Michigan Wolverines where Berge upset Cameron Amine, the 10th ranked 165lber, 3-1. Penn State continued their unbeaten dual streak with a 29-6 win over the Wolverines.
Berge continued his hot start in his abbreviated season with a decision victory over Caleb Fish of Michigan State, helping the Nittany Lions to a 28-9 dual match win.
According to WrestleStat, Berge is currently ranked 12th in the 165lb. weight class.
Penn State will dual with perennial powerhouse Iowa on January 28. There, Berge will likely matchup with the 3rd ranked wrestler in the 165 lb. weight class, Alex Marinelli.
“He can coach for the next 50 years if he wants, but you only have a short window to compete,” Sanderson said. “We’re hopeful that things can go his way. Obviously, that’s up to him.”
The Mantorville, Minnesota native said that he plans to return to his coaching role at SDSU following the spring semester.
“I love this university and the direction the program is heading,” Berge wrote. “SDSU is a special place and will only continue to improve. Coach Hahn and Co. are building something special, and I am extremely grateful to be a part of it.”
If Berge were to match up with an SDSU wrestler, it would come at the NCAA Championships, which are scheduled for March 17-19 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
2/7 Update - Berge is currently ranked 13th in the 165 lb. division. In Penn St.’s dual with Iowa, Berge lost to the Marinelli 10-2. Berge did not wrestle in Penn St.’s next two duals.