When Gregario Ivan Urueta, 20, mechanical engineering major, (Ivan to his friends) hit the water last February at the Mt. SAC invitational, he only had one thought in his head. That thought was “I don’t want to mess this up. I’ve got to make this turn” Urueta said later. He was so focused upon his swimming that it wasn’t until after the race, when Urueta pulled himself from the pool, that he discovered that he’d broken a school record.

In fact, Urueta broke two school records that day; the 50 breaststroke, with a time of 29.40 seconds, and the 50 butterfly, with 25.58 seconds. “I was really proud when I found out. It meant all of my hard work over the season had payed off” Urueta said.

Urueta, a car enthusiast who enjoys racing both in the water and behind the wheel, says he has been swimming since he was nine. “My parents sort of threw me into it, and I haven’t been able to stop since,” Urueta laughed, adding that it was “Sort of a love-hate relationship.”

Having joined the swim team last year, Urueta has already managed to collect an impressive list of victories, claiming the title in at least 8 different races this season alone.

“He has a really great feel for the water, he’s a hard worker with some great skills” coach Corey Stanbury said.

Of course, for a swimmer as passionate as Urueta, two school records are just the beginning.

“I’m actually going for two more school records now, hopefully. I’m trying to break the 100 butterfly as well as the 200 breaststroke records. After that, I want to see how far I can make it at state. My goal is to hopefully place in the top three in an event.” Urueta said.

The secret behind his success, Urueta says, is mostly hard work and Stanbury’s training, though he admits, like many athletes, to having a pre-race ritual.

“Before every race, whenever I get up on the block, I make sure to shake out both arms, and sorta lean forward to get into position, even when everyone else is standing straight” Urueta said. “I’m not really sure why I do it, but I feel like I’ve already messed up the race if I don’t do it right” he added.

Long term, Urueta plans to transfer to a 4 year college when he finishes at EC, and while he’s still trying to make up his mind, he says that one of his current top choices is Arizona State University.