Mark Ortega

Athlete Bio#

Height

5'11"

Age

Education

Kent State University/Malone College

USA Team Handball Career
2014: Pan American Nor.Ca Qualifier, 3rd place
2012: Pan American Championship, 5th place
2011: Pan American Games, 7th place, Captain
2011: Second Chance Qualifier, 1st place
2010: Selection Camp Second Chance Tournament (Rein Necker, Germany)
2010: USA vs. Canada, Pan Am Games Qualifier, 2nd place
2010: Battle of Chicago (Team USA vs. LA THC), 1st place
2009: Four Nations Tournament, 1st place
2007: Pan American Championship, 4th place
2004: Pan American Championship, 6th place, Captain

Individual Career

2014: U.S. Open National Championships, 6th place, Open Division
2014: U.S. Open National Championships, Top 5 Scorer (2nd)

2013: U.S. Club National Championships, 4th place, Elite Division

2012: U.S. Open National Championships, 8th place
2012: U.S. Open National Championships, Top 5 Scorer (2nd)

2011-12: Adeleme Sinfin (Santander, Spain)

2011: Ali Club (Cairo, Egypt)

2011: U.S. Open National Championships, 1st place

2010-11: TSG Ober-Eschbach, 4th Division (Frankfurt, Germany)

2009: Pulheimer SC, 4th Division (Pulheim, Germany)

2008: Alta IF, 1st Division (Alta, Norway)

2007: U.S. Open National Championships, 2nd place

2007: Nueva Montana (Santander, Spain)

2004-2007: Miami Sharks (Miami, FL)

Mark Ortega was originally a star gymnast from the ages of 6-16 which culminated in a North Carolina State Championship. He started playing football his junior year of college and ended up playing wide receiver for Kent State University and Malone College. After college, Ortega moved to Florida where he earned his Real Estate License and picked up the game of handball from Christian Zaharia. He was a member of the Miami Sharks for four years and, in 2004, he was selected for USA national team that played in Santiago, Chile. Currently, Mark serves as an assistant coach to Javier Garcia Cuesta, USA Men's National Team Coach, for the USA Team Handball Residency Program in Auburn, AL.

Isa 42:16 "And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them."

Thank the Lord for directing my path. He has placed me in the care and company of Great coaches and a group of teammates that I will continue to battle and grow with each year. Everything the Lord has allowed me to do is because of these listed Coaches and my many Brothers of handball all over the world.