University of the Pacific

Before coaching with the Tigers, Mardones was part of Pacific's swim team for four years.  She was named First Team All-MPSF three times and made the second team four times.  In 2014, Mardones had an NCAA "B" qualifying time in the 200 Breast, just missing the school record by three-tenths of a second.

Mardones was born in Bilbao, Spain, and is the daughter of Maria López-Abadia and Juan Mardones. She has a younger sister.