I was excited to go to the NCAA finals on Saturday, March 23rd, 2013 at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. I was there real early, not really paying attention to who was sitting beside me. Something was said and hey, it’s Jamie Heidt, one of my all-time favorite All-American Iowa Wrestlers. I knew that he was coaching at Kasson-Mantorville in Minnesota so throughout the night we talked about his wrestlers. Broc Berge was a senior and was set to join the Hawks the next year. He was pretty high on his junior Hwt. Sam Stoll and he also told me about a freshman, Brady Burge, Broc’s brothers. For starters, that is a pretty impressive list for a small school, or a school of any size.
I have tried to keep track of Brady Berge since, but I must admit, not real close. Why? When you have a guy like Jamie Heidt give you a recommendation on a wrestler like that, I‘m sold. Jamie Heidt, a Hawkeye, is a tough, hard-nosed guy from Humboldt, Iowa that l knew would tell me straight up. That is more than enough for me. That and Berge winning State titles and making a World team.
Brady Berge won a State title in 7th, 9th, and 10th grade and placed 3rd as an eighth grader. This past season, wrestling at 160 lbs., he suffered a broken leg at State and was unable to continue. Entering the match, Berge had a 146 match winning streak and a career record of 234-4. Last summer Berge placed third at 145 lbs. at Cadet Nationals in Freestyle and also made the Cadet Freestyle World team that competed at Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina in August.
I see Berge anywhere from 157 to 174. I think this guy will be an absolute beast in college. With his athleticism and drive in the Iowa room, I believe Brady Berge can be an absolute force of nature at 157, 165, or 174.
Brady, how are you doing with the rehab from your injury?
Brady Berge: It’s coming along. It has been a long process. Everything is as good as expected and going really well.
What are your summer plans?
Brady Berge: Right now my summer plans are up in the air. A lot will be based on how I feel and the rehab. I do not have a set date for when I will be on the mat again. I would say Fargo would be the only competition. I will do whatever I can to get back in time for that tournament. If not Fargo, then for sure I will be at the Super 32. I should be 100% by then.
What weight will you be at this summer and for next season?
Brady Berge: If I compete at Fargo, I will be at 152. For the season, I will be at 170 because that will be where the team needs me.
Do you have a Top 5 list of colleges that you are looking at right now?
Brady Berge: I really do not have a list yet. I was not able to travel and see some colleges this spring like I had hoped. I will be checking out several colleges soon for some unofficial visits and that will help me narrow my list down.
Have you thought about any type of major yet?
Brady Berge: I believe right now I want to go into business.
Was you at the Grapple on the Gridiron?
Brady Berge: Yes.
What did you think of it?
Brady Berge: That event was a wrestler’s dream. It was awesome. A bunch of my friends on the team went down and it was a blast. The weather was great. Iowa vs. Oklahoma State. There has been a lot of great duals between them and that was a great dual that day as well. I also got to watch Sam Stoll, my former teammate in his Hawkeye debut. It was sweet to watch. Sam and I are great friends. I had a blast at that event.
I am a huge fan of Sam Stoll. The improvement he made from March to September last year was amazing. His hard work in the off season really paid off. He never seems to have an off day for effort in the Iowa Wrestling room as he is always working hard.
Brady Berge: He’s awesome. He loves the sport, I can tell that from being around him. He’s always talking about it. He’s a real knowledgeable kid when it comes to wrestling. He is the kind that can make those types of jumps. I expected him to make a jump in improvement like that. He had an awesome year and was real fun to watch.
How would you describe your style of wrestling?
Brady Berge: To score points. For me there really isn’t a style. Whatever gets the job done. Whether it’s a high-crotch, a power single leg, a low single leg, snap down and go behind. Whatever gets the job done. Whatever gets the points and gets your hand raised.
The Iowa Wrestling recruiting class of 2017 is looking like it will be the best recruiting class in thirty years. Spencer Lee is the marque name and the list of recruits for your class is impressive. What are your thought on Iowa’s recruiting class so far?
Brady Berge: It’s pretty unbelievable how they have landed those recruits. That was huge for the Hawkeye program. They are building a room that is going to keep growing. A guy like Spencer Lee who has already won two World titles and will most likely win his third this summer. He’s the type of kid that you can only get better being around. I’m actually friends with him and have known him a little while. Iowa recruits tough wrestlers. It is our motto around here that iron sharpens iron and makes everyone better. It’s cool to see those big recruits go to one school. Iowa had a long history of success and they are setup to have more success.
What are your wrestling goals?
Brady Berge: For right now, I want to win Fargo. Win Super 32 championship and a State championship next season. Then of course NCAA championship. And then World and Olympic Gold. Last summer was a real eye opener for me traveling overseas for the Cadet Worlds and seeing what’s over there. That really motivated me to want to beat the Iranians and Russians. That is always in the back of my head. I am always thinking about being an Olympic or World Champion. That is the ultimate goal in wrestling.
Any idea when you will making your college choice?
Brady Berge: I will take my unofficials this summer. I will take my final official visits in the fall. After my official visits I will make my decision. If I am on an unofficial and my gut tells me that I want to be there then I am not afraid to make an early decision. As of now I want to wait until fall and make sure I am making the right choice for myself and my family.
