ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Olivia Ortiz

The East County Observer and Bogey’s Restaurant and Sports Pub have teamed up to showcase the East County’s top athletes. Each recipient’s article will be featured on the restaurant’s wall.

Lakewood Ranch freshman Olivia Ortiz scored 28 points to help lead the Lady Mustangs to a first-place finish at the Sarasota Booker Tornado Invitational March 12. Ortiz won the two-mile (12:05.00), finished second in the mile (5:28.09) and helped Lakewood win the 3,200-meter-relay (10:03.35).

Here is an inside look at this week’s Athlete of the Week.

What do you enjoy most about running?
I enjoy running because it’s just something you can do without thinking and just relax. You become good and start to enjoy it. I like getting better and better each time I step on the track.

Do you prefer track or cross country?
So far I like cross country better because of the scenery. Both give me a great opportunity to do my best though.

What’s your favorite event?
The mile and the two-mile. They are the longest distances. Sprinting isn’t my best ability, but I’m good at cardio.

What’s you favorite flavor of Gatorade?
Orange.

What do you like to do when you aren’t running?
When I’m not running, I’m on the soccer field. I’ve been doing it for nine years, so it’s definitely an essential part of my life.

Do you have any siblings?
Yes. I have a younger sister Julia, who is in sixth-grade at Nolan.

If you could go anywhere on vacation where would you want to go and why?
The Caribbean Islands or Hawaii. I like the beach and lying out a lot. I just like being outside in my bathing suit with the sun.

What’s your favorite type of music?
Hip-hop. It’s just go-with-the-flow kind of music, and the words are fun.