Berg sets standard for Cal State in water polo

By Michelle Gardner

Staff Writer

At 5 a.m. when most college students are sleeping soundly, Freyja Berg is starting her day. The Cal State San Bernardino senior reports to school an hour later for a two-hour water polo practice.

After a full day of classes, there is yet another practice, except on days the Coyotes have a match.
But the dedication has paid off. Berg recently became the school’s all-time leading scorer and currently ranks third nationally in scoring.

“I’m not going to lie, sometimes it’s really tough getting up,” she said. “But it’s what you have to do if you want to be good at something.”

Berg, a native of Whittier, is rounding out a storied career this month. The Coyotes (16-14) have three matches this week, starting with Division I foes UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Northridge on Saturday and rounding out the regular season against Pomona-Pitzer at home Sunday.

They will compete in the Western Water Polo Association tournament the following week in Los Angeles.

Every goal she scores adds to her legacy. She has 334 goals which breaks the career record of Sarah Reneker Schweiger who had 324 before graduating in 2006.

Berg didn’t know she was even close until sports information director Mike Murphy brought it up during a meeting of the Coyote Athletic Association at which she was being honored as the school’s athlete of the month for March.
Coyotes coach Tom Finwall didn’t know either.

Berg appreciates the honor, especially because the record she broke was that of a former teammate she respects. Schweiger also helped coach the team early this season.
But much like Schweiger did, Berg focuses on the bigger picture.

“It’s cool. But it will probably mean more to me later,” said Berg, the fourth All-American in the history of the program. “Right now I just want to help us win. It doesn’t matter how many goals I score.”

Berg’s big junior year set her up for the record run this season. She tallied 66 goals as a freshman and 68 as a sophomore.

She emerged as the dominant player last year with Schweiger having departed and managed 112 goals, 55 assists and 84 steals which earned her All-American honors for the second time.
Her 88 so far this season are enough to put her second nationally in a list of players in all divisions. Junior Amanda Ortiz of Cal State Bakersfield (102) is first.

She also has a team-high 64 steals and 37 assists.

Finwall says it is hard to compare his top two players of all-time since the styles of play are different. Berg is also five inches taller which comes into play both offensively and defensively, even in a pool.

“Freyja is a little taller and has a longer reach which really helps her,” he said. “She is able to get some shots off over an opponent where maybe Sarah had to pass it off. She (Berg) is also a little better defender. Not to say Sarah wasn’t good. Freyja is just a littler better.”

Berg admits she has progressed faster in the sport than even she believed was possible. She took it up in the eighth grade because older sisters Bridget and Kelby played. The three competed together for one year at La Serna High School and Bridget played with Freyja for two years at Cal State.

Freyja redshirted her first year at Cal State while she was working her way back from arm injuries suffered in a snowboarding accident.

Finwall also helped her with a few adjustments to her shot which apparently have helped.

“There were just some minor things on her motion,” Finwall said. “And old habits are hard to break.”

Schweiger currently lives in Seattle with husband Brian, a bullpen catcher with the Mariners. She also plays on a master’s team and has had some coaching offers.

If her record had to fall so soon, she is happy for her former teammate.

“She’s a great player because she has worked hard at getting better every year,” Schweiger said. “She has never been afraid to ask a question or do what it takes to get to the next level. She deserves it.”