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National Team Success
• Redshirted the 2007-08 collegiate season to train for the 2008 Beijing Olympics
• Swimming for Israel, Barnea placed 16th in the 100-meter backstroke in the 2008 Beijing Olympics with a time of 54.93 in the semifinals; notched a time of 54.50 in the preliminary round of the 100 backstroke
• A semifinalist in the 50-meter back in the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne
• In the 2007 European Games in Paris, took sixth place in the 100 back
• Holds Israeli records in the 50 back, 100 back and 100 butterfly
Cal Success
• As a freshman, had the team's third-best times in the 100- (48.19) and 200-yard backs (1:43.67)
• Placed fifth in the 100 back in the 2007 Pac-10 Championships
High School Success
• A 2005 graduate of Hof Hasharon in Israel; high school team was national champion
• Swam for Haopel Jerusalem, which is coached by Leonid Kauffman
Personal
• Parents are Eitan and Rachel; has two siblings, Nir and Or
• Undeclared major
• Born Sept. 9, 1987, in Beer Sheva, Israel
Why did you decide to go study in the United States?
I wanted to change my environment and fulfill my potential in swimming and academics
Why Cal?
Cal offers the best combination of academics, swimming program and great people.
Was it hard to adjust?
It was definitely not easy. However, I felt like I was a part of a big team when I got here and really gotten along great with everyone.
Name a favorite thing at Cal that you can't find at home.
Golden Bear Café and the "happy, happy, happy man" on the corner of Telegraph and Bancroft.
How do you plan to use your degree from Cal?
I want to graduate from Haas Business School and see where that takes me.
What do you think makes Cal unique and distinct from any other school?
Definitely the diversity of people along with a special atmosphere which is hard to describe in words.
How is training at Cal different from how it was back home?
We train here as a team as opposed to an individual. I prefer this approach much more.
What is your favorite memory from your time at Cal?
Two-hour breakfasts with the team in Crossroads cafeteria after a hard dryland circuit.
