NCAA Champion To Olympian, Jorge Torres Owns Spot In CU Athletic Hall Of Fame

"It was a long, slow process to get to the top of the mountain. But it was worth all of the sweat and tears."

That is how 2017 Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Jorge Torres characterized his patient journey to the first NCAA Division I Men's Cross Country Championship for the Buffaloes in 2001.

"When my brother (Eduardo) and I were recruited in 1999, we had a dream to bring a championship to CU." Two years later, that dream became reality for the Torres brothers.

Torres gives credit to the faces before him for the chance to capture that national title. His first summer at Colorado was what led to the success the program was able able to eventually see during his collegiate career.

"Being able to learn from the older guys that summer, learning the lifestyle as a Buff in Boulder is what really gave us younger guys a chance to blossom," Torres said, grateful for the veterans amongst the team to be so willing to teach him. "I look back now, and I appreciate that. Those are some of my best friends to this day."

Torres was up to the challenge. Although, in his first two seasons, he and his teammates weren't able to see the results they had quite hoped for. In 2000, the team finished second at NCAA nationals.

"It was eye opening to see guys who were so close to becoming national champions," he said. "We came so close to winning. We got a taste of the championship but also a taste of some failure."

Torres says it was especially tough for the guys who helped build the program. However, he credits those tough finishes for what was to come. "That sophomore season (2000) was a build up for all of the great things we had accomplished."

It certainly led to that. Colorado went on to hoist that national title during Torres' junior year in 2001. "The ultimate goal as a CU athlete was to raise that trophy. We came home to celebrate and represent that goal we achieved."

Torres' spent his entire collegiate career with the team in his best interest. He calls the team's 2001 national championship by far his proudest moment – one he will share with the "brotherhood" for the rest of their lives.

With the team national title under his belt, Torres sought out the individual title the next year. He did so in record breaking fashion, running a LaVerne Gibson Championship Course record time of 29:04.70 in winning the 2002 NCAA Individual title.

Having proved he could compete at the highest level, Torres earned a Reebok sponsorship in 2003 and began his professional career. He called the transition from running at the collegiate level to competing for Team USA a smooth one for him. "I was well prepared. Coach (Mark) Wetmore set me up for the professional level."

Torres went on to see success during his years as a pro and punched his ticket to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing for the United States. Even competing amongst the best in the world, Torres' appreciated his years at CU the most. "The pros were great and I joined every moment but I was more of team man. It doesn't compare."

Even someone with accolades stacked as high as his, Torres did not see a nomination into the CU Athletic Hall of Fame coming.

"When Rick George called me, it was unexpected. It hit me hard. It was a moment of pride. It says that my colleagues and the university acknowledges my accomplishments. In my four years at CU, I feel like I gave my best."

NCAA Champion To Olympian, Jorge Torres Owns Spot In CU Athletic Hall Of Fame

Related Videos