Hall of Fame
Cross Country: Ran the two fastest times in the 5,000-meter race in program history with time of 17:34.00 and 17:39.00 in 1995 … First woman in the history of program to qualify for the NCAA Division I National Cross Country Championship held in Ames, Iowa in 1995 and placed 76th… Regional Cross Country qualifier, Sun Belt Conference Cross Country Champion and MVP, and All-Sun Belt Conference Cross Country Performer in 1995 … Most Valuable Cross Country Athlete in 1995, and member of the 1995 All District VI University Cross-Country Team … Three-time All-Sun Belt Conference Cross Country Performer.
•Indoor Track & Field: Ran the second fastest mile run and 3,000-meter race with times of 5:05.07 and 9:57.94 respectively in 1996 … Recorded the fifth fastest time in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:18.65 in 1993 … Was the 1996 Indoor Track & Field Sunbelt Conference 3,000-meter run Champion and mile run runner-up… Named Indoor Track & Field All-SBC Performer in 800-meter run, mile run, and 3,000-meter run.
•Outdoor Track & Field: Holds program record in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:09.66 in 1993 … Ran what was then the second fastest 1,500-meter race (now third) in program history with a 4:36.57 in 1996 … Recorded the second fastest 3,000-meter run in program history with a time of 9:56.87 in 1996 … Ranks second in fastest 5,000-meter run with a time of 17:26.20 in 1996… Was the Sun Belt Track & Field 800 meter Champion and 1,500-meter runner-up in 1993, as well as Outdoor Track & Field All-SBC in the 800-meter run, 1,500-meter run, 3,000-meter run and 5,000-meter run.
•Featured on ESPN for both individual and team accomplishments … Named UTPA Female Student-Athlete of the Year in 1993 and 1996 … Three-time Academic All-Conference honoree … Recipient of the Ann LaMantia Award … Graduated Magna Cum Laude.
"Today is especially meaningful because it gives me the opportunity to recognize so many people who have been an important part of my life," Ortega-Hilpert said. "It means so much to me to have so many of my teammates here today to help me celebrate."
