Lucia Lopez Ortega, a standout golfer from San José State University (SJSU), has been recognized as one of two nominees representing the Mountain West Conference for the prestigious 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. This accolade highlights exceptional female student-athletes who demonstrate outstanding achievements in various areas, including academics, athletics, community service, and leadership.

A Stellar Athletic Career

In her final collegiate season, Lopez Ortega claimed the title of Mountain West Golfer of the Year, finishing as the individual champion at the 2025 Credit Union 1 Mountain West Women’s Golf Championship. She completed her noteworthy college career with four consecutive All-Mountain West selections and performed remarkably throughout the season, recording a personal best of 5-under-par 211.

Throughout her tenure, Lopez Ortega contributed to SJSU’s success by leading the team to several top-five finishes and aiding the Spartans in securing NCAA Regional berths annually. Notably, she played a significant role in helping the team reach the NCAA Championship three times during her collegiate career.

Academic Excellence

Lopez Ortega has excelled academically, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in biological sciences, achieving an impressive 3.91 GPA. Her scholarly accomplishments earned her a spot on the Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar Team for four consecutive years, along with multiple Academic All-Mountain West and MW Scholar-Athlete honors. In 2025, she also received the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District accolades.

Community Engagement

Demonstrating her commitment to community service, Lopez Ortega has actively participated in various initiatives. She served as a teaching assistant for three semesters, guiding fellow students and managing a team of teaching assistants. Additionally, she was involved with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and volunteered with organizations like the Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative, where she inspired young girls to engage in sports.

This summer, she was among 42 student-athletes nationwide to receive a $10,000 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, honoring her commitment to academics, athletics, and community leadership.

Selection Process for the Award

The NCAA Woman of the Year program, established in 1991, allows each conference to nominate up to two student-athletes. The selection committee will evaluate nominations and determine the top 10 honorees in each division, ultimately selecting the 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year from a group of 30 exemplary individuals.