Kim Berg inducted into MSU Hall of Fame

For the second time this year, a local athlete has been inducted into a collegiate Hall of Fame.

Montana State University recently announced its Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2023, and it included Kremlin's Kim Berg.

Berg's journey from small-school high school star at K-G High School to Division I All-America stands out in Bobcat history as an amazing example of persistence.

Overcoming multiple knee and shoulder injuries she won four Big Sky Championships in the javelin, including a thrilling come-from-behind effort as a junior in 2007. She was rewarded with Outstanding Athlete honors for her throw of 162-4 in her final toss of that championship event, vaulting her from second to first with that throw and setting up her perfect run of four championships one year later. Her ability to overcome and improve throughout her career lands her as one of the greatest performers in Bobcat history.

She earned an at-large berth to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships that June in Sacramento, California, where Berg placed fifth in her preliminary flight and did not advance to the finals. She again earned a berth at nationals that year, placing 22nd in the prelims and not getting to advance.

At K-G, Berg won Class C state championships in the javelin as a sophomore, junior and senior after placing fifth as a freshman. Her 32 points during that span were the only ones scored at the state meets by a K-G girls athlete. Her winning throw as a junior in 2002 went for 140 feet, 3 inches and stood as the Class C state meet record until 2016.

Berg, 39, graduated with a degree in health promotion from MSU and has since earned a master's degree in public health from the University of Montana. She began working with the Hill County Health Department in 2010, and she has served as the department's director since 2015.

Berg has two sons, Kaden 14, and Kenton 11, and is an avid Montana State Bobcat to this day. She has since dropped to third on MSU's all-time javelin throw record-book, but her induction into the MSU Hall of Fame makes her one of the all-time greats in not only Bobcat history, but one of the most dominant track and field athletes to come from the Hi-Line, possibly ever.

"It's a huge honor that I don't think has truly sunk in yet," Berg said. "I had an amazing time at the banquet. I am extremely grateful for all that MSU invested in me as a student-athlete, and I can't thank them enough for believing in me, and for choosing me for this honor."