Heather Sterlin of Mission Viejo, the top...

Heather Sterlin of Mission Viejo, the top girls’ long jumper in Orange County this season, said she has signed a letter of intent to compete in track and field at UC Santa Barbara.

Sterlin, a senior, committed two weeks ago. She said she also considered Colorado, Washington and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Sterlin broke Mission Viejo’s school record in the long jump with a leap of 19 feet 6 inches in a dual meet against Dana Hills April 10. The old mark of 19-0 1/2 was set by Sabrina Pendleton in 1979.

Sterlin, 18, has competed in track and field since she was 10. She missed most of her sophomore season at Mission Viejo because she fractured two vertebrae in her back and spent six months in a brace. She also played volleyball for the Diablos through her sophomore year, until, she said, she decided to concentrate on track and field.

Sterlin, who finished ninth in the State meet last year, won the long jump at the Orange County Championships Saturday with a jump of 18-6.