Bergstrom Takes Flight on the International Stage Before Beginning Triton Career

For incoming UC San Diego freshman Renata Bergstrom, the summer before college brought an experience unlike any other.

Bergstrom competed at the Nike Outdoor Nationals and USATF U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, representing Slovakia after recently obtaining Slovak citizenship through her mother, who was born in Slovakia. The opportunity came after a club in Slovakia recognized Bergstrom’s ability and reached out about competing for the country.

The meet marked Bergstrom’s first time competing at such a large international competition. She competed in the pole vault, placing 14th and gaining valuable experience on an international stage after a career that began with track and field in sixth grade.

While the competition brought plenty of pressure, Bergstrom said the atmosphere quickly became one of her favorite parts of the experience. Athletes from different countries supported and encouraged one another throughout the meet.

“Definitely the atmosphere was my favorite part,” Bergstrom said. “Everyone there was so supportive of each other. Even though we were all wearing different uniforms and representing different countries, everyone was cheering each other on and wanting everyone to do great.”

Competing in front of a large crowd at such a high-level meet was also a new experience for Bergstrom.

“It was really stressful being in such a big stadium with such a big crowd, but it helped having so many friendly people around,” Bergstrom said.

Her family was also there to share the moment, with her parents, grandmother, aunts and cousin making the trip to support her.

Now, after an unforgettable summer on the track, Bergstrom is preparing to bring that experience to San Diego as she begins her collegiate career with the Tritons.

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About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 24-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 39 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.