With conference season now in full swing among NCAA teams, it was almost impossible to find pick the best swim of the week. And in a sense, we didn’t. This week’s performance of the week goes to Queens sophomore Patricia Castro Ortega, who put on an incredible show at the Bluegrass Conference Meet this past week.
All told, Castro Ortega left the meet setting a total of six Division II NCAA records; three as an individual and three as part of a relay. Castro Ortega swam butterfly on two record setting medley relays, splitting 24.06 and 53.49, as well as on a record setting 800 free relay. The sophomore also led off the 800 free relay with another NCAA record in the individual 200 free, touching in 1:44.44. Castro Ortega’s other individual NCAA records came in the 500 free (4:40.65) and 400 IM (4:09.93). For good measure, the sophomore also set a meet record in the 100 freestyle (49.13), less than two-tenths off her national record from last year.
With her performances of this meet, Castro Ortega is now the current record holder in a staggering nine NCAA Division II records: 100 (48.92), 200 (1:44.44), and 500 (4:40.65) freestyles, the 200 (1:58.60) and 400 (4:09.93) IM, the 200 butterfly (1:58.02), and as a member of both medley relays and the 800 free relay. How many more records can she add to her name in March?
Congratulations Patricia Castro Ortega for earning the Swimming World Performance of the Week!