Swimmer Gina Lucas signs letter of intent with University of Pacific

By Bill Tamburrino

Gina Lucas, a senior at Mountain Valley Academy, has signed a national letter of intent to continue her education and athletic career at the University of Pacific.

Lucas holds Ramona High School swimming records in the 200 meter individual medley, 100 meter freestyle, 100 meter backstroke and 100 meter butterfly.

She is the daughter of Gregg and Irena Lucas, and started swimming at the age of 10.

“I enrolled her in swimming lessons at Ramona Oaks Pool and her first swim teacher was Jolyn (RHS girls swim coach Jolyn Yanez). She saw something and told us that she should start swimming competitively” said Irena Lucas.

Gina Lucas is the first swimmer that Jolyn Yanez has coached to earn a Division I grant in aid.

She has a 4.2 grade point average and will major in pre-dentistry at University of Pacific, where she hopes to attend dental school upon finishing her undergraduate studies.