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It’s not every day a Lancer athlete PCC makes history, but freshmen badminton player Angie Ortiz did just that.

On May 12, Ortiz became the first CCCAA State Individual Singles badminton champion in the 13 years of the program. 

In the finals match at San Diego City College, Ortiz rallied from a set down to defeat City College of San Francisco’s Evonne Zheng, 18-21, 21-12, 21-12.

“I felt wonderful, and for a moment I couldn’t believe I [had] won,” said Ortiz. “I have won other tournaments … but nothing like the state championship.”

She’s not the only one who’s pleased.

“I am very proud of Angie,” said Bill Sanchez, badminton coach.  “She works [hard] on and off the court and I [am] especially proud [of] how she supports the other players and coaches.”

Ortiz was leading in the first set, but says she let her guard down and ended up losing the set.

“In the second set I could already see that Zheng was getting really tired, and I knew what I had to do,” said Ortiz.

“Ortiz’s style  [of play] is fast paced and aggressive,” said Sanchez. 

She likes to move her opponent around the court and tire them out. “I do believe that I beat her in three sets because she got too tired,” Ortiz said.

In the semi finals, Ortiz faced the number one seeded player, LaAnh Nguyen from San Diego City College, the same opponent who had broken her 44-game wining streak the week before. The rematch was one in two straight sets with identical scores of 21-19, 21-19.

“Going into the semi-finals to play Nguyen, was nerve wracking and very scary,” said Ortiz. “I honestly thought I was going to lose, but I never gave up and I gave it my all and I ended up surprising myself in the end,” she said.

While playing against Nguyen, Ortiz kept recalling their match the week earlier to help her in forming a game plan.

“Coach helps me keep my head in the game,” she said. “He reminds me constantly that I have to play my game, and not let my opponents play theirs.”

Nguyen, became very tired to the point of almost throwing up, said Ortiz. “Stamina is a key point in singles,” she said.

Ortiz is not sure yet if she will play next season.

“My priority has always been school, so if school work allows it like this season, then for sure I will play,” said Ortiz.

Musing on one day having a picture of herself inside the Hutton-Patterson Gym, Ortiz said: “That would be the best recognition of all. I would feel honored to represent PCC in such a special way.”

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