Hollywood script writers take note. Even “Rudy “should take a backseat to this story about perseverance.
It’s been 10 years since Claudio Torres wrestled competitively, calling it quits on a college career in 1996 after having knee surgery. A lot has happened to the East High graduate since.
He spent 19 ,½ months in harm’s way as a member of the Illinois National Guard serving in Iraq. He completed college at Northern Illinois University, got married, started a family and started his teaching career.
This weekend, he’ll step back on the mat in Evanston and compete in the 44th Annual Midlands Championships at Northwestern University.
“It’s a dream come true, “said Torres, who finished fifth in state at 145 pounds his junior year in high school. He wrestled for a year at SIU Edwardsville before coming home to wrestle at Waubonsee Community College, where he suffered the knee injury.
Torres is in his first year teaching (p.e. and driver’s ed) and coaching (JV wrestling) at Waubonsie Valley High School.
At 28, he will be one of the oldest competitors in the prestigious competition that features many of the top collegians and amateurs in the country. It all started at the suggestion of Steve Skorup, Waubonsie Valley’s freshman coach who Torres credits as one of two men (Dave Luedkte, who teaches and coaches at Grainger Middle School is the other) who helped steer him to his chosen career.
Skorup’s son Brent wrestles at Wheaton College and was one of the few Division III wrestlers invited to compete in last year’s Midlands. Torres then met Northwestern wrestling coach Tim Cysewski at a clinic this fall, who, convinced of Torres’ sincerity, got him in. Torres will represent the school’s Wildcat Wrestling Club, comprised mainly of wrestlers who have used up their collegiate eligibility.
“The first thing out of people’s mouth when I tell them is, ‘You’re crazy, it’s one of the hardest amateur tournaments in the country,’ “Torres said. “I have to do it. I couldn’t live with myself. I have a golden chance.”
He’s dedicated himself in training for the chance, running 25-30 miles a week, hitting the weights and drilling in the weight room.
“I run two miles every day before school and two miles right after school before practice starts, “he said, noting that he’s shed 35-40 pounds.
“I am in the best shape of my life, “he continued. “In the military we always did two-mile runs and my fastest time was 14 minutes when I weighed from 190-195. Now, I’m down to 13:15 (for two miles).”
His original plan was to wrestle at 174, but he’s down to 165.
“Once my body got used to the running, the weight started flying off, “he said.
A criminal justice major when he started college, Torres got the bug to get into teaching and coaching when he started helping Skorup, then the Waubonsie Valley varsity coach, mentor his younger brother Roberto “Tito “Torres from 1999-2003.
He was there when Tito took sixth in state at 125 pounds as a junior.
But Claudio, a military policeman along with his sister Alma and brother-in-law Anthony Lenard, was called to active duty in 2003 the week before “Tito “was to wrestle at conference. He didn’t get to see his brother go to state (where he failed to place) as a senior.
“I had eight days of leave in 19 ,½ months. We were extended twice, “said Claudio, whose six years in the ready reserve will conclude in April and be followed by two years of inactive reserve duty.
“As military police, we were involved in convoy escorts all over Iraq. … It was pretty intense.”
He was decorated for discovering an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) before it detonated.
Tito, meanwhile, went on to wrestle at NIU.
“Both of us had a dream of wrestling at the Midlands, “said Claudio. “Tito was going to, but he hurt his neck at the Michigan State Open and didn’t get medical clearance for the Midlands.”
While continuing his studies at Northern, Tito has been helping Claudio train and will serve as his coach in today’s match at the Midlands.
“My initial goal was to be able to compete and make weight and get in shape and do something I always wanted to do, “Claudio said. “That is still my goal, but now I’ve added to it.”
He’s feeling good about his wrestling.
“I’ve knocked a lot of the rust off. My goal is to go in and place, “he said. “…I’m not gonna get seeded. Nobody knows me and people that do think I’m crazy. But I’m ready to go get an upset.”
His wife, Mary Lou, will be there, too, along with 7-month-old son C.J. One of the baby’s Christmas presents this year was a 10-foot-by-10-foot wrestling mat Claudio plans to set up in his basement.
“We’re gonna get some shots of him on it in wrestling poses pretty soon, “Claudio said with a chuckle.
Mary Lou will be videotaping Claudio’s match(es) in Evanston. And in addition to coaching, Tito will also have a camera at his side.
“I would love to get a picture of me getting my hand raised (in victory) by an NCAA official, “said Claudio. “I told my brother if I win, get ready to go because I want that picture. I’m going there with that attitude.
“I’m not scared. I’m excited. I’m ready to go right now.”
Just picture it.
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