Personal Bests:
8,000 - 26:04 (10-18-08)
10,000 - 32:58 (11-9-08)

Honors and Awards: First Team All-ECC, ECC Rookie of the Week (9/8, 10/6) (2008)

2008: Was the team's top freshman...placed in the top-50 six out of the seven races including a fourth place finish at the Hofstra Invitational and a third place finish at the conference meet...set a personal best at the Albany Invitational (10/18) with a time of 26:04...was the Panther's second runner across the line at the regional meet.

At Monsignor McClancy High School: Ran cross country and track and field for four years...a two time Brooklyn-Queens cross country champion, two time state xc qualifier, three time outdoor B/Q two mile champion...B/Q indoor 3200m and 1600m champion and state qualifier...placed fourth at Eastern States and ninth at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships...received the Student Athlete Award...part of the Film Club, Photo Club and Choir.

Personal: Son of Miguel and Lilia Ortega...enjoys skateboarding, reading and cooking...major is currently undecided.