Hugo Gonzalez, one of the biggest breakout stars in the NCAA last season, is set to join the University of California as a student this coming January, according to the news site Nataccion. You can read their original reporting on Gonzalez here. This comes following a recent report that Gonzalez was looking at transferring to either Cal of Florida for next semester. SwimSwam has reached out to learn whether Gonzalez will be immediately eligible to compete for Cal in the 2nd semester of this year, but we haven’t yet received a response.
Gonzalez originally came to the U.S. to compete with Auburn University last season. Following Sergio Lopez‘ announcement that he would be taking over as head coach at Virginia Tech, Gonzalez also announced he would be transferring to VT to stay with Lopez. However, Gonzalez then announced in September that he would be returning to Spain to train instead of attending VT.
Gonzalez is a Spanish Record-holder, World Junior Record-holder, 2016 Olympic semifinalist, and 2018 European Championships finalist. In his freshmen season with Auburn, Gonzalez was the SEC champion in the 400 IM (3:35.76), runner-up in the 200 IM (1:40.67), and 3rd place finisher in the 200 back (1:40.82). He was slightly off those performances at NCAAs last year, only scoring in the 200 IM, where he came in 10th.
If Gonzalez is cleared to compete next semester, it will be a pretty big shake-up to what already looks to be a fierce battle for the NCAA title. Cal would be picking up the 3rd fastest SCY 400 IM’er in history, and the 7th fastest 200 IM’er in the NCAA last year (4th fastest returner from last year). Gonzalez also has scoring potential in the 200 back. On top of that, Hugo has a 200 free best time of 1:34.79, which should provide a boost to the Cal 800 free relay, which is likely their worst of the five relays, at least at this point in the season.
Just noticed on the portal, Gonzalez’s current institute is listed as Virginia Tech…so I’m assuming he officially attended there in at least some sort of capacity.
UTX still the heavy favorite
Ignorant
Ehhh I dunno. If Hugo were to final in the 200 and 400im and throw down a solid 8 free relay split, that’s like 40+ points. That could easily decide the whole meet. The only question is what kind of shape Hugo will bring to NCAAs. Last year he crushed SECs but fell off hard at NCAAS. Also not sure what his training situation has been like this year.
But still, could be a game changer.
How many points did he score last year for Auburn?
As the article states, he only got 10th in 200im and didn’t score otherwise. But we know he has high scoring potential based on his SECs times from last year. If he could even replicate that performence at NCAAs this year he could score mega points.
I really did not follow too closely Hugo Gonzalez (re: Auburn or even Olympics). So I was surprised as to his decision to go to Cal. He does have a connection with a Spanish swimmer who was on the Cal’s women’s swim team. I am cognizant that he has a 3:35 in the 400 IM, but as I checked the 2018 NCAA championships in March, I noticed he had a 3 46 400 IM and I think did not get in the finals. However, I also read elsewhere that he scored just 7 points somewhere. My question is was he under the weather or whatever because I could not find him in any other events unless it was in a… Read more »
And he wasn’t very impressive at sc Worlds last week.
One persons 40+ points will not decide the whole meet….. you must be joking. Every person on the top 10 teams will be deciding the meet.
Considering Texas only won by 12 points last year, 40+ points to Cal would be enormous. It’s not a guaranteed thing that he scores that many points but to say it won’t make a difference either way is just ignorant.
A LONG way to go til NCAAs. Who knows what will happen. All in all this adds drama and more excitement to the meet in March. I will be on the edge of my seat every session. GREAT FOR OUR SPORT! Best wishes to Hugo where. ever he is competing that SAME to all of the swimmers and divers who work so hard. Everyone stay healthy and bring the best to NCAAs.
Bay area sure beats Blacksburg VA, wonder if he stayed in Blacksburg long enough to go cow-tipping?
Not all that different from Charlottesville… except for the popped collars and wine coolers
except for the empty trophy case
Bernadino did fill the case with trophies, TEAM TITLES, NCAA Champions, Worlds, American Records, Outstanding Academic Records, a TEAM to be respected if not feared….Not many trophies since his departure..
I didn’t know UC Berkeley accepted students for the spring semester? The school does not have an application for spring admission. How is this possible?
He’s fast that’s why
I believe you can defer for a semester. Which would mean it has been in the works for awhile.
I know I can’t imagine a DI school ‘changing’ the rules for an elite athlete!
Especially a swimmer.
Berkeley definitely has Spring admits. Some students elect to defer once accepted for Fall, while others are only offered Spring admission. e.g. some high school students graduate high school a semester early and start Berkeley in the Spring. Hugo likely had his application in a while ago.
I just learned from another Cal fan that Hugo is enrolled and his name is in the University Directory. I think some of the team will be practicing in Colorado for a short stint in January, obviously indoors.
Since no one has said it. Merry Christmas Cal swimming.
bold
Durden taking one out of the Marsh playbook.
I wonder where Hugo will end up next year after spending semester with Bears?
Go Golden Bears!