This feature originally appeared in the 2022 Winter edition of the Cal Sports Quarterly. The Cal Athletics flagship magazine features long-form sports journalism at its finest and provides in-depth coverage of the scholar-athlete experience in Berkeley. Printed copies are mailed four times a year to Bear Backers who give annually at the Bear Club level (currently $600 or more). For more information on how you can receive a printed version of the Cal Sports Quarterly at home, send an email to CalAthleticsFund@berkeley.edu or call (510) 642-2427.




Gymnastics and art can bring out creative instincts, so for sophomore Noah Newfeld, the combination has been natural. Newfeld, who had an award-winning freshman gymnastics season for the Bears last year, has found inspiration in creative design since he was a child.
 
Newfeld grew up in Plano, Texas, but whenever he visited family on his mother's side of the family in Japan, he became enthralled with the artistic culture around him, from television to food to designs on packaging. He enjoyed being immersed in the creative expression throughout Japanese society.
 
"What really captivated me about the artwork in Japan was how expressive and fun it was," Newfeld said. "All the drawings had some excitement to them, and it looked like the artist really enjoyed drawing them because of how fun they were."
 
The specific genre that captivated him most were the Japanese graphic novels and comic books known as "manga." As a child, Newfeld spent hours copying drawings from those books.
 
Newfeld's aunt Amy, also a Texas native on Noah's father's side of the family, shares a passion for art, which helped further Newfeld's interest in the hobby. Amy Newfeld has made her own jewelry, painted and even bound her own sketchbooks.
 
"I loved going over to her house because I could experiment with all these artistic techniques, and she would teach me how to practice my art skills," Newfeld said.
 
Given his current time requirements between school and gymnastics, Noah and Amy aren't able to enjoy their activities together as much. But every gift-giving holiday, Noah receives an art-related gift from her, which he is always appreciative to receive.
 
While his artistic background didn't directly influence his decision to come to Cal, Newfeld remembers enjoying all the public art in the community around the Cal campus when he first visited Berkeley.
 
Despite all the uncertainties during his freshman season in 2021 due the COVID-19 pandemic, Newfeld shined. He became the first Cal gymnast to be tabbed the College Gymnastics
 
Association Rookie of the Year after securing CGA Rookie of the Week honors four times over the campaign. 
 
"Gymnastics takes a lot of visualization to master or understand a certain skill, and I think that this hobby has kind of helped," Newfeld said. "Art also takes a certain amount of visualization to execute, so practicing that in the gym and in front of a piece of paper has helped my skills in both."
 
While he prefers art to be a hobby, Newfeld is looking into postgraduate goals and opportunities circulating around technology and design, helping create innovations and bringing them to life.
 
He's excited about how his education at Cal will help him zero in on exactly what he wants to do and prepare for his future career.
 
"Cal offers a lot of resources and programs to help diversify your skills and major plan," Newfeld said. "I found out about a program here that allows me to receive a design certification by taking four courses in design and engineering-related principles. I believe pursuing this program and certification can add to my resume and help me get closer to the career that I truly want."
 
Regardless of where he ends up after Cal – hopefully after collecting more awards and accolades for the Bears' gymnastics team – Newfeld said that he no doubt will be doodling in a sketchpad whenever he gets the chance.