Diaz continues to reflect on life, career of former Loyola standout Torrence

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Lalo Diaz has been visited by several alumni this week at Loyola High in Los Angeles, each individual trying to provide strength and support for the veteran coach after he learned Monday of perhaps the most devastating news of his 41-year career.

Diaz was contacted by Cal director of track and field and cross country Tony Sandoval, informing him that something had happened to former Golden Bears standout and 2003 Loyola graduate David Torrence.

After Diaz was unsuccessful in reaching Bianca Torrence, David’s mother and real estate agent in Malibu, he did a Google search on the computer for “David Torrence” and “pool accident.”

The results confirmed Torrence, 31, was found dead of an apparent drowning in Scottsdale, Ariz., following a morning run, according to this story published in The Mercury News.

“I knew right away when I couldn’t reach Bianca that something must be wrong because she always answers her phone,” Diaz said. “I was so numb. I didn’t embrace it as the truth. I knew what I was looking at on the screen, but I couldn’t comprehend it.”

In the days since, Diaz has set up an alter dedicated to Torrence outside his classroom and conducted prayer for those who wish to celebrate the memory of the Peruvian Olympian and American indoor 1,000-meter record holder.

“David was such a sweet person. He went to great levels in his career, making it all the way to the Olympics, but the success never got too big for him. He would always thank his coaches and he was always mindful of where he came from,” Diaz said. “When I think about David, what resonates is the fact that we always tell the boys to give the sport its due respect and that’s what he did. And it also reminds me how close David remained to everyone at Loyola.”

Despite traveling back and forth from Malibu to Flagstaff, Ariz., in order to train, Diaz said Torrence always made time to visit Loyola practices and send videos to the athletes prior to the track and cross country seasons, along with the Cubs’ summer team camp in Mammoth.

“He always remained in touch with the boys, sending videos and always reminding them to listen to their coaches and to work hard,” Diaz said. “He was never too busy for them.”

Although he never won an individual state title at Loyola, Torrence was instrumental in one of the most impressive team performances in California prep cross country history.

Torrence placed eighth, supported by Mark Matusak in third and Micah Tyhurst in 15th, as Loyola won its first CIF Division I state championship and finished ranked No. 6 in the country by The Harrier Magazine editor Marc Bloom.

“To this day, that squad laments that there was no Nike Team Nationals or NXN to really measure themselves against a team like (top-ranked) Mountain View from Utah,” Diaz said. “David and Mark and (No. 5 runner) Matt Miller always used to tell me that it was a missed opportunity because everyone knew how special that team was.”

Torrence made the most of his opportunities at Cal and throughout his professional career, especially last year in Rio when he became Peru’s first track athlete to advance to an Olympic track final, placing 15th in the men’s 5,000 meters. Diaz and several Loyola athletes had the opportunity to see Torrence race in person for the final time in April at the 59th Mt. SAC Relays at El Camino College, watching him win the 1,500.

Loyola is scheduled to open its cross country season Saturday at the Great Cow Run in Cerritos. Diaz said he wanted to speak with Bianca Torrence and learn her wishes before organizing any potential tribute for David before or at the meet.

“David was a character when he was at Loyola, but at one point it clicked for him and when it did, he was able to accomplish great things,” Diaz said. “He embraced the sport and he embraced respecting the sport and once he did, the sport got every bit of him.”