Having developed a reputation as an elite prospect, he accepted a scholarship from University of Arkansas, but became disenchanted with school and attended a total of four different colleges before quitting running altogether and pursuing manual labor jobs in the early 2000s.
At Buchanan, Cabada ran cross country and track and established himself as one of the most formidable high school distance runners in the state of California.
[3] He recorded a personal best 3200-meter time of 8:59.02 in his junior year at the Golden West track meet on June 11, 1999, after which he was ranked seventh in the high school boys' 3200 meters in the entire United States.
At Fresno, the cross country and track programs folded due to financial reasons, and Cabada attempted to walk-on at Arkansas, this time without a scholarship.
[6] While working various labor jobs, Cabada allegedly applied to Minot State University after contacting their coach, Scott Simmons, on the internet.