(Photo: Penn State Athletics, 247Sports)
Round 1: W – MD – 10-2 vs. No. 7 Garrett Model (Wisconsin)
Berge started the game with a takedown in the first 30 seconds to take a 2-0 lead. The model could run away to cut the lead. However, Berge fought back and landed a takedown, ending the first period 4-1. The model started from the bottom of the second period and earned the lead, closing it 4-2. Later in the same period, Berge earned his third takedown as he went up 6-2. Berge did not have enough to start the third period, and Model opened with several returns from the mat. Berge’s escape increased his score 7-2. Another takedown increased Berge’s score to 9-2. He also earned driving time at the end of the match.
Quarterfinals: B – Dec – 5-3 vs #2 Caleb Young (Iowa)
Berge and Young were walking back and forth in the first shot. Several times, Young made some good shots, but could not finish. Berge started the second period from bottom after a scoreless score and then took a 1-0 lead. Berge then worked off the attack and earned a takedown to go up 3-0. Young got an escape to cut it to 3-1. The second period ended with the same score. Young started the third period from the bottom and took the lead, cutting the score to 3-2. Berge returned to offense and had a second takedown with a score of 5-2. Young escaped with 30 seconds left to cut the score to 5-3. Berge stalled with six seconds left, but that was only his first warning. He held on to an upset win to reach the semi-finals.
Semi-finals: L – Dec. – 3-1 SV vs. #3 Will Levan (Michigan)
The first period ended without points, none of the wrestlers found a violation. In the second period, Levan started with a loss and pulled ahead with a score of 1:0. However, there was no resentment in the second case. Berge started the third period from the bottom and escaped, equalizing the score 1:1. The third period was the same, leading to a sudden victory. Levan made the first throw and shot, earning a takedown and winning.
Consolation semi-finals: W – pin – 2:59 vs. No. 4 Kendall Coleman (Purdue)
The first minute was more of a probing process. Both wrestlers tried to go on the attack, but each had a choke defense in a neutral position. Berge and Coleman were locked out and then Berge was able to throw Coleman on his back, scoring points for a takedown and almost falling. After reconfiguring, Berge managed to bypass the siren and get a pin with one second left in the first period.
3rd Place Match: W – Dec – 3-1 SV vs. No. 2 Caleb Young (Iowa)
The two met for the second time in the tournament. Most of the first period was a probing process and neither wrestler could go on the offensive. The first three minutes ended without points. Berge started in the second period and earned a runaway, giving him a 1–0 lead. Young started the third period from the bottom and pulled out straight away to equalize at 1–1. The two had good shots back and forth but didn’t score. They were drawn and went for a sudden victory. Berge managed to pick his spot and land the winning takedown to defeat Young for the second time and take third place.