ATHERTON, CA –8/16/04- James Torres has been hired as the new cross country coach, Director of Athletics Caitlin Collier has announced. Torres replaces former coach Tim Dempsey who left to pursue professional opportunities.

Torres is no stranger to Menlo College, as he has spent the past two seasons as an assistant wrestling coach with the Oaks. While with the team, Torres has helped coach eighteen All-Americans, two national champions (James Guizar and Saul Lucatero) all the while helping the team win their first ever Western Region championship in 2004. Torres’ hiring as the head coach for the cross country team will be his first head coaching appointment.

“It is my duty to bring Menlo College cross-country up to par and beyond in the California Pacific Conference” said Torres at the time of his hiring.

An Olympic hopefully, Torres has been training the past three years running, swimming, and wrestling in the hopes of making the US Olympic Wrestling team. Now, Torres has begun training for triathlons, with his first coming in early 2005.

Torres graduated from Indiana University with a degree in social and behavior science in 2000 and is currently studying for a Master’s Degree in kinesiology from St. Mary’s College.

While with the Hoosiers, Torres was a four-year letterman and two year team captain with the wresting team.