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.
Max is the core of the sprint group, and it will be fun to see how they do with some incoming speedsters this season. Go Cats! Go Max!