Ortolan erupted in the fall of 2014, placing second at the Big West Cross Country Championships, showing remarkable growth off a 2014 redshirt spring. He carried that momentum right into the track season, lowering his lifetime bests in the 1,500m, 3,000m and 10,000m. He capped the year with a spectacular effort in the Big West 10,000m, moving from fourth to second over the final 200m. His 10k Silver helped the Gauchos collect 23 team points in the event. Look for him to challenge an NCAA First Round bid and beyond in 2016.
2014-2015 Track
Opened the year with a second place 3k finish at the Round-Up, crossing the line in 8:27.67. Took the line next at the All-UC, running 3:55.02 in the 1,500m before doubling back in the 3,000m. What happened next was another memorable Ortolan, Guijarro battle, this time ending in a rare photo finish. Both men crossed the line in 8:23.61, for the win, and good for #8 All-Time in UCSB history. Took third at the Big West Double Dual in the 1,500m, lowering his lifetime best to 3:49.39. Again doubled in the 3k, finishing this time in 8:30.95 for second. Stepped back down to the 1,500m at the UC Riverside Spring Track Classic, taking second in 3:50.33. At the Big West Championships, under the Riverside lights, Ortolan outlasted a late finishing kick to place second and secure the Big West 10k Silver, helping the Gauchos amass 23 team points.
2014 Cross Country
Ran No. 2 in five of his six cross competitions. His lone No. 1 performance coming at the NCAA West Regional. Opened the year with a second place showing at the Lagoon Race, finishing in 24:53.77. Went on a five meet tear from there, next placing tenth at the UC Riverside Invite, crossing the line in 24:33.3. He then repeated at 10th at the Stanford Invite, finishing sub-24 in 23:53.3. Helped the Gauchos to a respectable 11th place team showing out of 46 teams at Pre-Nationals. Running on a brisk October morning in Terre Heute, Ind., Ortolan stuck with the chase pack and gutted out a 40th place finish, clipping 24:55.8.
The stage was set for the Big West Championship.
Ortolan yet again teamed up with Bryan Guijarro for another 1-2 gem, this time leading the Gauchos to their first men's title in 11 years. Ortolan's second place performance was highlighted with a 23:48.1 effort. He then took the keys for the NCAA West Regional, running No. 1 and placing 23rd overall. His time of 30:00.9 over the 10,000m race distance was a significant finish to a stellar season.
2013-2014
Redshirt Season
2012-2013
Ortolan notched his first collegiate win, in the 800m, to open the 2013 season at the Gaucho Round Up. Ran his first 3000m steeple at the Cal Poly Dual Meet, running a 9:44.68. Continued that settple success at the Big West Championship where he placed 7th in only his second race over the barriers, running a new best of 9:33.94.. Ran a lifetime track 5k PR at the Irvine Spring Break competition with a 14:53.53 effort.
2012 Cross Country
Ortolan ran in four races his freshman year. He made his debut at the Standord Invitational, running 25:27.3 over the 8,000m course, taking 50th overall. Came back at the Louisville Pre-National Meet and lowered his 8k time to 25:24.9. At the Big West Championships he turned in an impressive freshman performance, running 24:38.4 which placed 12th overall. He was the second freshman across the line behind his teammate and Big West Freshman of the Year, Bryan Guijarro.
2011-2012 Track
Appeared in nine meets as a freshman. Had a season best in the 1500m at the Oxy Invite with a 3:51.99. Ran 14:58.84 in his first track 5k to take second at the Cal Poly Invitational. Ran 1:57.86 in the 800m at the All-Cal Challenge.
Prep
Was the Cross Country NCS team champion his Sophomore and Junior year at College Park High School... Qualified his Sophomore year in the 800m of the NCS Meet of Champions... Placed 9th place at state cross country meet junior year... State meet qualifier in the 800m Junior year... Ran Mt. Sac with the time of 15:18 his senior year... Finished 25th in Div. 1 with time of 15:30 at State Cross Country meet senior year... Broke the school record in both the 800, 1600, Distance Medley Relay, and the 4X1600 relay... Captain of the track and cross country team both Junior and Senior year... Track team MVP his Junior and Senior year... Placed second at the NCS Cross Country finals individually... His Cross Country team placed second his Senior Year... His Junior Year he placed third in the 800 at the NCS Meet of Champions.
Personal
Son of Don and Sharon Ortolan... Scholar Athlete and honor roll all 4 years of high school... Played soccer for a club team and his high school...His most memorable sports moment is competing in the 800 at the state meet his junior year... Favorite sports team is the San Jose Sharks.. His favorite athletes are Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Chris Solirsky, Michael Johnson, and Nick Symmonds... Favorite movies are Inception, Dark Knight, Casino Royale, and the Prestige... Enjoys books by Ken Kesey and Laura Hillenbrand... He enjoys going to the beach, swimming, biking, trying new things, and traveling.
Personal Bests
1,500m - 3:49.39 (2015 Big West Double Dual)
3,000m - 8:23.61 (2015 All-UC)
5000m- 14:53.53 (2013 UC Irvine Spring Break Invite)
10,000m - 31:10.52 (2015 Big West Championships)
3000m Steeple- 9:33.94 (2013 Big West Championships)
Big West Championships
2015- 10,000m, 2nd, 31:10.52
2013- 3000m Steeple, 7th, 9:33.94
2013- 5000m, 6th, 15.14.76
Big West Championships (Cross Country)
2014- 8k, 2nd, 23:48.1
2012- 8k, 12th, 24:38.4
NCAA West Regional (Cross Country)
2014- 10k, 23rd, 30:00.9
2012- 10k, 90th, 31:15.5
