Bermea's high school journey coming down to 1 final decision

HARLINGEN — It’s been a journey within a journey.

From sports to the classroom to carrying on a social life, Randy Bermea has enjoyed every bit of his senior year so far.

But for the Harlingen football and track star, finding a new home for the next four years has weighed heavy on his mind, body and soul.

On Wednesday, a four-year journey will transition into a new one that could take him either to West Texas or out west to California.

After almost six months of deliberating, Bermea will finally make his decision on where he’ll run track next season: Texas Tech University or the University of California-Berkeley.

"I think once the football season ended, I knew I couldn’t put it off any longer," Bermea said. "There were no more excuses… I had to get serious about it."

Bermea, a Valley record-holder in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, made four college visits before coming to a decision.

His first visit came in late September when he made his way to the Little Big Apple in Manhattan, Kansas and Kansas State University. Bermea watched the Wildcats beat Baylor that weekend.

Bermea’s second visit was to the University of Mississippi.

"It was definitely a lot more exciting," Bermea said of Ole Miss. "Their facilities are unbelievable."

Bermea saw Ole Miss nearly upset Arkansas that weekend too.

"That campus was beautiful," he said. "I was down on the field for the first part of the game then I sat in the student section."

His last visit of the calendar year was to Texas Tech.

"It was the week after Tech beat OU," Bermea said. "The Iowa State blew them outta the water that week."

Last month, Bermea made his final visit when he made his way to California and the Cal-Berkeley.

"It was such a great experience and one I definitely won’t forget," Bermea said. "Every other place was a college town…this one was different. Berkeley is different."

Bermea, whose final track season opens on Friday at San Benito, said the traveling across the country made the decision-making process fun and interesting.

"It opened my eyes," Bermea said. "Not too many people get this opportunity so I wanted to make sure I made the right choice. This is where I’m going to live the next four years…so it has to be the right decision. I’ve been blessed so I want to make the best of it."

Bermea, who plans on majoring in marketing, has endured sleepless nights and countless emotional and mental bouts making sure he gets it right.

"It’s gotta be somewhere I want to be for the next four years and possibly the rest of my life," he said. "A lot of people say I’m lucky to be experiencing this, but it hasn’t come easy."

Bermea said endless hours of practice and training has afforded him the opportunity to be in this process.

"Natural ability will only take you so far," he said. "I worked hard and it’s paying off. These next four years are gonna have to top my last four years."

Bermea’s sister, Ariana, also competed at the Division I level playing volleyball at UTPA in Edinburg.

Bermea said his family has been very supportive in the whole process and credits them for keeping him sane and level-headed through it all.

His grandfather, Gilbert, is a former college dean. Bermea said his grandpa’s been instrumental in helping look at the academics side of each visit.

"They’ll (family) support me no matter where I go," Bermea said.

The Bermea’s might already know where that might be. Everyone else finds out Wednesday.

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