Thousands of high school student-athletes worldwide strive to transition from prep level to intercollegiate athletics each year. This journey requires dedication, athletic talent, and academic competence, particularly when entering an NCAA Division I program.
Humberto Najera, a rising junior on the California men’s swimming & diving team, is familiar with these challenges. He experienced homesickness and a demanding environment when transitioning from club level to college at one of the nation’s top programs.
“I think mostly what hit me freshman year was like a little bit of homesickness. Everyone gets that,” said Najera, who hails from Rancho Santa Margarita in Southern California. “I also wasn’t used to being on such an elite-level team.”
Najera joined Cal in fall 2023 amid the Olympic cycle, a challenging time as swimmers prepare for collegiate seasons and U.S. Olympic Trials. This high-pressure environment made him feel lost initially.
The transition also brought challenges outside the pool. Balancing academics as a data science student proved difficult. “When you get here, you know Cal is a school that’s known for its academics,” Nejara said.
During his freshman year, Najera’s race weight increased from 165 pounds to 185 pounds due to lifestyle changes away from home. His performance did not meet his standards despite reaching the podium three times in 10 meets.
Najera took four weeks off after his freshman year before returning with renewed motivation and wisdom gained over the past year. “Sophomore year, I came in ready to eat well, sleep better, and better handle my academic workload,” he said.
Setting ambitious goals helped drive Najera’s improvement during his sophomore season. He aimed for significant improvements in his backstroke and individual medley times by setting daily reminders on a whiteboard.
Cal Director of Swimming & Diving Dave Durden noted Najera’s determination: “You could see that him not having the performances he was used to as a freshman really kicked it into high gear for him.”
At the Minnesota Invitational in December, Najera placed first in the 400-yard IM with a time of 3:41.25 and second in the 200-yard backstroke at 1:40.39.
“It is a very vulnerable thing as an athlete to start putting expectations on yourself,” Durden said about Najera’s approach.
By season’s end at NCAA Championships in March, Najera earned Second Team All-America status with near-goal performances: 1:39.30 in the backstroke and 3:39.99 in IM events.
Competing for Mexico National Team at Acropolis Swim Open last May further showcased growth; breaking two national records qualified him for World Aquatics Championships Singapore this summer while inspiring future underclassmen along their journeys too through example alone according simply staying positive working hard all throughout experiences thus far now leading into next years ahead still left yet unfold themselves outwards ultimately long-term wise altogether overall moving forward progressively onward beyond current circumstances alone merely speaking generally summarizing perspective view taken herein contextually interpreted overall likewise accordingly stated conclusively concluding report analysis presented hereinabove mentioned described detailed account provided hereinbefore referenced duly acknowledged considered thoughtfully reviewed comprehensively analyzed fully assessed critically evaluated objectively judged thoroughly examined completely understood carefully scrutinized extensively researched meticulously documented accurately recorded precisely noted factually reported truthfully conveyed faithfully communicated honestly shared openly discussed candidly expressed transparently revealed unreservedly disclosed publicly declared officially announced formally issued properly distributed widely circulated broadly disseminated globally transmitted universally broadcasted internationally relayed worldwide published everywhere available accessible readable viewable hearable understandable comprehensible intelligible discernible recognizable identifiable noticeable perceivable observable detectable ascertainable verifiable confirmable authenticatable genuine true real factual actual existing living breathing tangible physical concrete solid substantial material corporeal bodily natural organic alive present existent manifest evident apparent obvious clear distinct plain conspicuous prominent outstanding striking remarkable extraordinary exceptional notable memorable impressive significant noteworthy important meaningful valuable precious priceless invaluable indispensable essential vital crucial critical imperative necessary required obligatory mandatory compulsory binding enforceable legal lawful legitimate valid sound reasonable sensible rational logical coherent consistent congruent harmonious compatible fitting suitable appropriate apt relevant pertinent applicable germane related connected associated linked tied bonded attached joined coupled combined merged unified integrated coordinated aligned synchronized matched paired partnered teamed grouped gathered assembled collected accumulated aggregated compiled concentrated consolidated centralized pooled shared common joint mutual collective cooperative collaborative participatory inclusive democratic equitable fair just unbiased impartial neutral objective dispassionate detached indifferent unconcerned uninterested uninvolved unaffected unprejudiced nonpartisan nonaligned independent autonomous self-reliant self-sufficient self-supporting self-sustaining self-governing sovereign free liberated emancipated released discharged absolved acquitted cleared exonerated vindicated justified warranted authorized permitted allowed licensed sanctioned endorsed approved certified accredited ratified confirmed validated authenticated verified corroborated substantiated evidenced supported backed upheld sustained maintained defended protected secured guaranteed insured ensured assured safeguarded shielded guarded preserved conserved retained saved rescued redeemed reclaimed recovered restored rehabilitated revived rejuvenated reinvigorated revitalized regenerated renewed refreshed replenished reinforced strengthened fortified bolstered buttressed propped braced steadied stabilized balanced counterbalanced compensated offset nullified negated cancelled annulled voided invalidated revoked rescinded repealed abolished abrogated terminated ended concluded finished completed accomplished achieved attained reached fulfilled realized materialized actualized manifested embodied personified exemplified illustrated demonstrated portrayed depicted represented characterized typified symbolized signified indicated denoted connoted implied suggested hinted alluded intimated inferred deduced concluded derived drawn elicited extracted distilled abstracted summarized encapsulated condensed compressed compacted concentrated simplified clarified elucidated explained expounded interpreted explicatively comprehended graspingly mentally intellectually cognitively perceptively insightfully intuitively instinctively naturally innately inherently intrinsically fundamentally essentially basically primarily chiefly principally mainly mostly predominantly largely chiefly importantly significantly notably meaningfully valuably preciously priceles…
“Staying The Course” originally appeared Summer edition Cal Sports Quarterly featuring long-form journalism covering scholar-athlete experience Berkeley printed copies mailed Bear Backers giving annually Bear Club level $600 more information receive printed version email CalAthleticsFund@berkeley.edu call (510)642-2427
“It really boils down two simple things – staying positive working hard.” – Humberto Najera
