NCAA Qualifier Max Berg Returning To Kentucky For COVID Fifth Year

Max Berg is set to return to Kentucky for his COVID-19 fifth year for the upcoming NCAA season, the school announced via Instagram.

Berg spent four seasons with Kentucky as an undergrad. He arrived from France as an undergrad and finished his season at SECs as a freshman, making the ‘C’ final of the 100 free.

He showed improvement as a sophomore, making the SEC ‘B’ final of the 50, 100, and 200 freestyles that season. He also helped the team’s 800 free relay finish 3rd at SECs. He went on to swim at NCAAs as a relay-only swimmer, splitting a 1:33.86 on the lead off leg of the team’s 800 free relay that finished 17th.

As a junior, he made the ‘A’ final at SECs in the 100 and 200 frees. He finished 6th in the 100 in a 42.11 and 4th in the 200 in a 1:33.00. He also was 10th in the 50 free in a 19.36. He qualified for NCAAs individually, finishing 29th in the 100 free (42.47) and 31st in the 200 free (1:33.58). He also split a 1:33.00 lead off on the team’s 800 free relay.

He finished his senior season at SECs, making the ‘B’ final of the 100 and 200 frees and the ‘C’ final of the 50 free.

Time Progression

Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior
50 free 19.9 19.54 19.36 19.52
100 free 43.55 42.66 42.11 42.43
200 free 1:36.56 1:33.17 1:32.67 1:33.28

Berg’s return is huge for the program this fall as he holds SCY school records in the 100 free, 200 free, and 100 back (46.22). He also is #2 all-time in the 50 free.

The Kentucky men finished 10th out of 10 teams this past season at SECs. Berg will look to return to NCAAs as the team sent three individuals to the meet this past season. The team will be in its second season under head coach Bret Lundgaard.

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About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

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