Contact: Emily Zadny, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302
(Written by Nicholas Osterloo, Student Sports Information Assistant)
Oct. 5, 2017 - When she was four years old, Diana Barcelata, a junior on the women's tennis team at North Central College, broke her arm while doing gymnastics. While her gymnastics career ended at a very young age, it was for the better as she found tennis to be her favorite sport. Although she did swimming, diving, running, volleyball, basketball, and soccer, Barcelata chose tennis to continue as she grew up.
"When I was 9, my parents were like 'do you want to do' and my favorite sport was tennis, so I picked that because I just love it," Barcelata said.
Two years ago Barcelata attended Cañada College in Redwood City, California and was the top tennis player at the community college. "It was really nice; I made a lot of friends and my team was great too," said Barcelata.
After her two years of studying in California, she wanted a change of scenery. She then found North Central College to continue her studies and her tennis career.
Barcelata is from Veracruz, Mexico and is a part of the international club on campus. She lives on the fourth floor of Patterson Residence Hall, the international floor, in which international students room with a student from the United States. "I'm really enjoying life here and everyone wants to make friends with you, which is great" said Barcelata.
As it turns out, her Resident Assistant is Victor Krueger who is an international student from Sweden and is on the men's tennis team. Krueger is someone who motivates Barcelata to be a better tennis player. "Victor is so good and always there for us," she said. "He cheers us on at all of our matches!"
As a member of the tennis team at North Central, she feels as if the team is a second family. "We are all girls in college, so we have the same goals," said Barcelata, which brings them closer together as a team. "My doubles partner Morgan House always tries to make me feel better and be a better player," said Barcelata.
At a professional level, she looks up to Roger Federer. "He has always been number one role model in tennis ever since I was a kid," said Barcelata. She enjoys his style of play and who he is on and off the court.
Barcelata was a communications major at Cañada College, but always loved broadcasting. Now at North Central, she is able to satisfy both of parts of her life.
"I am a broadcast communications major and I know that the radio station program here is very good," Barcelata said. Ever since she was a teen, she looked up to people in the broadcast and music industries.
Being an only child, it was very difficult for her parents to let her go and study in America, but fortunately she has an aunt California who gave her a place to stay in California. "[My aunt] supported me all the way and she still supports me," she said. "Everyone in my family is super supportive of what I am doing and want what's best for me."
Diana plans on getting her master's degree in marketing communications either in the U.S. or somewhere in Europe. "I would love to be working with an artist and helping them do a tour. If not that, then working on a radio, being a TV host or a producer," Barcelata said.
In her free time, Barcelata loves listen to music. "Going to concerts would be my number one hobby. I try to go at least once a month because it is my relaxing time and relieves my stress, too," said Barcelata. When she is not at concerts she enjoys hanging out with her friends, playing ping pong and watching her favorite shows and movies.
Diana is currently 8-1 on the season at No. 1 singles for the Cardinals. She looks to continue her dominance on the tennis courts as she and the rest of the women's tennis team face Wheaton College on Thursday, Oct. 6 at the Wheaton College Tennis Courts. Competition is set to begin at 5 p.m.
