Merced swimmer Ortega signs with Fresno Pacific

Merced High School senior Mireya Ortega remembers the moment she knew swimming in college was an obtainable goal.

It was after she won the Sac-Joaquin Section junior varsity championship in the 100-meter breaststroke as a sophomore. Ortega bested some of the best underclassmen in the section.

“It was an amazing feeling,” Ortega said. “It felt so good. It showed me that if I continue to get better there would be a college out there that wanted me.”

Fast forward to Monday afternoon and there was Ortega signing a national letter of intent with Fresno Pacific University during a lunchtime ceremony in front of family, friends and coaches.

“It’s a super special thing,” Ortega said. “I wasn’t sure it would be possible to get a scholarship to a Division II school. This is something to remember.”

Ortega became the fifth aquatics athlete from Merced High in two years to earn a scholarship, including water polo star Kathryn Elgin, who signed with San Jose State last week.

Ortega played three years of water polo and will compete in her fourth season on the swimming team this spring.

“She’s committed a lot of time, effort and energy,” Merced swimming coach Kit Grattan said. “She’s competed at a really high level, and she’s set high expectations for herself. That’s why she’s been able to achieve what she’s been able to achieve so far.”

Ortega helped lead the Bears to Central California Conference swimming championships in each of her first three seasons. Last year, she won individual CCC championships in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke.

The breaststroke has become Ortega’s specialty. She placed sixth at last spring’s Sac-Joaquin Section championships in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1 minute, 6.24 seconds.

“She’s pretty well-rounded and stays pretty positive,” Grattan said. “She has good family support. I think she has room to get stronger and faster. It’s a good deal for her and Fresno Pacific. She does really like to win.”

Ortega took an official visit to the campus in September and quickly felt at home.

“On the last day of my visit, I knew I could see myself being a student there and being an athlete there,” Ortega said. “I like that it’s a small campus, and it’s really close to home.”

With her college decision out of the way, Ortega will be able to focus on the upcoming swimming season.

“I don’t have to constantly worry about not making my decision yet,” she said. “I’ll be able to just enjoy my senior season more.”

This story was originally published November 16, 2015 at 5:02 PM with the headline "Merced swimmer Ortega signs with Fresno Pacific."