Torres wraps up season at State

Zack Torres’ impressive career and senior year didn’t end as strong as it started, but even after it ended, he was able to reflect positively on what he had accomplished.

“This year has been very successful for me and [Coach Mark Evans],” Torres said after his final run in the boys’ 3,200 meters. “I’m happy with my season.”

Torres finished his season in the finals at CIF State last week Saturday, finishing 21st out of the 32 qualifiers, at 9 minutes, 15.18 seconds. It wasn’t his best run of the season and his time at the CIF Masters was significantly better, at 9:04.85.

Torres said he ran a smart race, but just didn’t have enough left in the tank at the end.

“I tried to grind my way to the finish line, but I just didn’t have anything left,” Torres said. “I have to put this in perspective. I had 26 baseball games under my belt and I’ve been racing as much as these guys. My legs are tired right now.”

It’s been a long season for Torres. What started as a season to remember, Torres earned Footlocker All-American honors in cross-country in the fall. In the winter he began training for track and field and baseball, opting to do both.

The intense workload may have cost him in the last two laps.

“Coach Evans told me, ‘Run and try to hold on those last six laps and the last two laps will come back to you,’” Torres said. “I stayed on those last six laps and those last two I wasn’t able to hang on.

“I was disappointed in that, but Coach Evans has been a great coach throughout the years.”

Chris Shwartz, of Foothill (CIF Central Section), came in first with a remarkable time of 8:51.60.

Heydon Wooff of Camarillo was the best finisher from the Southern Section, in third place at 8:55.16. Wooff also finished first in the Masters last week.

Torres will get more chances on the track next year while at UCLA, where he’ll be running on scholarship.