College News

Berge Joins Jackrabbits Coaching Staff

Two-time NCAA qualifier Brady Berge will join the South Dakota State wrestling coaching staff as a volunteer assistant, head coach Damion Hahn announced Saturday.

“We are ecstatic to announce the addition of Brady Berge to our coaching staff,” Hahn said. “Brady brings a wealth of knowledge and experience having competed on some of the biggest stages. His wrestling mind and strong work ethic will most definitely elevate our program.”

A native of Mantorville, Minnesota, Berge competed at Penn State for four seasons, 2017-18 through 2020-21, compiling a 31-9 career record. He wrestled at 149 pounds for the Nittany Lions during the 2018-19 season, earning his first trip to the NCAA Championships and finishing with a 20-5 overall record.

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St. Cloud State announces 2021-22 schedule

ST. CLOUD, MINN. – The St. Cloud State University wrestling team’s quest for a fourth consecutive national title begins in October. After a whirlwind 2020-21 season that ended in a national championship, the Huskies are ready to begin their title defense, as they announced their 2021-22 regular-season schedule Tuesday afternoon.

St. Cloud State’s schedule will look more traditional in 2021-22 after completing a conference-only schedule in 2021. As in past years, the Huskies will compete in several tournaments during the 2021-22 regular season, including the Finn Grinaker Open at MSU-Moorhead on Saturday, November 6. St. Cloud State will also compete in the Dakota Wesleyan Open, Carolina Clash Duals, and National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division II National Duals in the first half of the regular season.

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Gable Steveson Set to Depart for Summer Olympics

The Minnesota heavyweight heading to Tokyo for a chance at Olympic gold

MINNEAPOLIS – University of Minnesota heavyweight and United States Olympic team member Gable Steveson is set to depart for the 2020 Summer Olympics this weekend, where he will compete in the 125-kilogram freestyle bracket in hopes of bringing home a gold medal.

Traveling alongside Gable will be University of Minnesota head coach Brandon Eggum and assistant coach Trevor Brandvold, who will act as Steveson’s personal coaches at the Olympic Games for Team USA.

The Apple Valley, Minn., native is the program’s first Olympian since Jake Deitchler at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and will be looking to earn the program’s first Olympic medal since 2000 when Garrett Lowney won a Greco-Roman bronze medal at 97kg in the Sydney Olympics.

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Hahn signs new five-year contract

South Dakota State University Director of Athletics Justin Sell announced Thursday that head wrestling coach Damion Hahn has signed a new five-year contract that will run through the 2025-26 season.

“Damion has our wrestling program poised to accomplish great things in the years ahead,” Sell said. “He not only is a tremendous teacher of the sport, but he has shown an unwavering commitment to providing the best possible experience for our student-athletes.”

Hahn has coached the Jackrabbits for three seasons, leading SDSU to a 20-22 dual record and mentoring 10 NCAA qualifiers, including 2021 All-American Clay Carlson. SDSU has placed as high as fourth in the Big 12 Conference tournament standings during Hahn’s tenure.

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Chayse Jackson named head wrestling coach at SMSU

MARSHALL, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State University Interim Director of Athletics Bruce Saugstad announced on Thursday the hiring of Chayse Jackson as the next head wrestling coach at SMSU.

Jackson comes to SMSU after serving the past three seasons as an assistant coach at Minot State University. Jackson, who becomes just the fifth head coach in the 55-year history of the program, takes over for Jesse Nelson, who announced his resignation on May 6 after 14 seasons as head coach.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chayse as our next head wrestling coach,” Saugstad said. “Chayse was outstanding in the interview process as his philosophy and vision made him the person to lead our program. He has a tremendous work ethic, energy, and passion for the sport which will be invaluable to our student-athletes both on and off the mat. We look forward to Chayse’s leadership to help continue to build on our wrestling tradition.”

Jackson helped Minot State make significant improvements during his three-year tenure. In 2019-20, MSU recorded a Division II-era record six dual wins, as well as victories over three Top 25 programs. The team also received its first-ever Division II national ranking. During his first year on staff in 2018-19, the Beavers had three NWCA Scholar All-Americans, four Super Region V place-winners, and a school-record two national qualifiers.

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