Alec Mortensen, considered by many to be the greatest men's wimmer in West Valley history, has accepted an athletic scholarship from the UC Santa Barbara, WVC Aquatics Director Willo Rodriguez recently announced. 

Mortensen won a pair of swimming state titles in May at the CCCAA state champioinship meet at East LA. He staged a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the 200 IM May 4 and then followed that up with a wire-to-wire win in the 200 Free on May 5.

"Alec was the best overall swimmer at the state championship," Rodriguez said. "His come-from-behind win in the 200 IM was amazing. He went on to win the 200 free unchallenged. He is, by far, one of the best athletes ever to attend West Valley."

He was the Coast Conference champion in three events and earned Performer of the Meet and High Scorer at the Coast championships at Las Positas in April. Mortensen joins Sayeh Faridnia as the only swimmers in Viking history to claim two championships in the same year. In the fall of 2022, he was a member of the Viking water polo squad that claimed its 32nd consecutive Coast Conference championship, roared through the NorCal playoffs and finished 2nd in the state for the 2nd straight season.

Mortensen was a key ingredient to the Vikings first-ever Coast men's swimming championship in 2022 and 2nd-place finish in 2023.

"Alec was determined to be the best following his first year at WVC," said WVC women's water polo and swimming coach Erika Vargas. "He trained countless hours and encouraged his teammates to be the best. He truly led by example. This is just the beginning of an amazing journey for Alec."

UCSB competes in the ultra-competitive Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. Coach Jaclyn Rosen is entering her fourth year after leading the 2023 Gauchos to a 2nd-place MPSF finish.