Cardinals' Bermea signs letter of intent to run track at the University of California

HARLINGEN — As Harlingen Cardinals hurdler Randy Bermea walked around the high school gym being interviewed and posing for photos, his father, Randolph, couldn’t help but think back.

It seemed like it wasn’t long ago that Randolph would take Randy to his track practices.

“I would set up some hurdles for him to keep busy,” Randolph said. "I remember taking him to AAU meets when he was four, five or six-years old.

“I’ve seen him develop over the years from the way he deals with people to becoming a true competitor. He wants to be the best at everything he does.”

Randolph went on and on about his son as Randy continued to make his rounds in the gym shaking hands and taking photos.

On Wednesday, in front of about 100 friends and family, Randy signed a letter of intent to run track and the hurdles for the University of California-Berkeley Golden Bears on a full scholarship.

Randolph looked on with undeniable pride.

“It’s his dream come true,” Randolph said as he got teary-eyed. “He’s got goals and going to California is part of those goals. The coaches really care and we’re looking forward to the next four years.”

For Randy, it was a long recruiting process that took off after last year’s UIL state track and field championships.

The potential was always there for Randy. But after putting in a lot of work before his junior year, Randy showed vast improvement last season.

From breaking Valley records in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, to taking silver (110) and bronze (300) at state and a bronze in the 400 hurdles at a national meet, Randy’s stock grew in the past year.

And coaches took notice.

Randy paid visits to Kansas State, Ole Miss and Texas Tech before making his final decision.

Tech was an early favorite but the Bears came through with a better offer.

“Now I can just focus the season,” Randy said. “I’m super excited to sign and get it over with. I’m excited about Cal and the working with the coaches there.”

Harlingen track and field head coach Harvey Noyola said Cal is picking up a really special athlete and vice versa.

“The Pac-12 is a great conference for track and field,” said Noyola, who ran the hurdles at UTEP.

“It’s definitely a great school but Randy’s a great athlete. And they have someone really special coming to Berkeley.”

Randy helped the Cardinals football team to a Class 5A state quarterfinals berth this season and earned All-Valley All-Purpose Player of the Year honors.

Randy was listed as a receiver but excelled on special teams and defense in the postseason, making key play after key play.

“He’s played football and basketball but he’s always been about track,” Noyola said. “He’s a hard worker and he’s passionate. He watched pro athlete and how they work…he’s a student of the game.”

Randy took photos with family and friends. The varsity basketball team practiced on the opposite side of the gym from where Randy signed.

Afterward, Randy took photos with all his former football teammates and friends.

“We’ve all been friends since middle school and always joked around that we would play D-I one day,” Randy said. “And now here I am signing. They’re all a part of this.”

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