Athlete Profile: Isaac Torres

Throughout this past year, I have covered a lot of Cougar athletes from Saint Xavier University, but one sport that I have not talked a lot about is bowling.  Bowling just started at Saint Xavier.

Yes, this is the sport’s first season and they have been pretty successful.  The women’s bowling team even made their first NAIA appearance this past March.    

This bowling program overall shows a lot of promise and one bowler that has been a part of this historic team is Isaac Torres.

Isaac is a freshman majoring in Chemistry at Saint Xavier University.  He is another local Cougar coming from Chicago, Illinois.  Before becoming a Cougar, Isaac attended St. Laurence High School.        

When I sat down with Isaac, I asked him about he felt about being a part of the first bowling team at SXU along with what he has to say to people who don’t think bowling is a sport.  Let’s see what this new Cougar has to say!

When did you start competing in bowling?

I started to compete in bowling when I was in my sophomore year of high school. I was roughly sixteen years old when I began to bowl.”

Who was your role model growing up and why?

My role model growing up was my mother. She taught me all my morals and keep me in check while I was in school. She’s a very strong person and always finds a solution to almost any problem. I wish that I could mature to be like her and pass on what my mother taught me to my children in the future.

What other sports did you participate in besides bowling?

In high school, I also participated in football. I did football for one year and that was my junior year. My junior year of high school, I played both football and bowling.

What made you decide on coming to Saint Xavier University?

I heard of the chemistry department and courses they had at Saint Xavier University. A bowling program was also starting up at the time that I was looking for colleges so it was like it was a calling. I’m by far happy for the decision that I made to attend Saint Xavier University.”

This is the first bowling team at Saint Xavier, how does that make you feel?

It makes me feel quite honored to be called the first graduating class of bowlers. It’s an amazing thing and it will always be looked upon when looking at the history of the program.

Bowling is an indoor sport, so do you compete all year round?

For bowling, we compete from September to March. It’s a very long season that demonstrates how much each team can endure.”

For anyone who is not familiar with this sport, can you describe the basics of bowling?

For bowling competition, five players will compete and try to combine their scores together. The highest scores over two days will claim the title of the tournament that is being held. Spares are a very important aspect of bowling which compliments strikes that will ultimately produce an high score.

Go through your practice schedule with me.  What is your main focus during this time?

On Monday and Tuesday, the team practices from 6:30pm-8:30pm. On Wednesday and Thursday, we practice from 12pm-2:30pm. I focus mostly on consistently and minor changes on footwork and my arm swing that will ultimately benefit me.

There are a lot of people who think that this is a true sport. What do you have to say to them?

I truly believe that this is a true sport due to the fact that it is based on mentality and physical aspects of other sports. You are physically being prepared for tournaments that have a duration of eight hours that you can be participating the whole time. Endurance is a main factor will get rid of fatigue. The mentality of bowling will see how’s mental game is stronger with all the shots they make and see if their emotions get the best of them.

What was your personal goal this season?

My personal goal this year was to become better at the sport and become more knowledgeable of the sport I love. I still have a lot to learn but over one year, I believe that I have accomplished a lot.

I know this is further down the line, but what do you hope to do with your degree after you graduate from Saint Xavier?

With my chemistry, I plan on getting into pharmacy and becoming a pharmacist after. I believe this is very possible with all the help of the staff here at Saint Xavier University.

What is something you like to do in your spare time?

Something I like to do in spare time is hangout with my friends and go to eat with them. The friends I made in college are some of the greatest people I’ve met and I’m glad that we crossed paths.

If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be and why?

I would like to be in Florida, the weather is so beautiful along with gorgeous sceneries. Chicago has showed me all the seasons within a month and I’m not sure what to wear anymore.

Thanks Isaac!  But really, thank you to all the Cougars who took part in “Athlete Profile.”  I have truly enjoyed getting to know each athlete at Saint Xavier.   

My hope is that someone else will take over article.  Until then, I will leave you with this quote:

“Make each day your masterpiece.”-John Wooden

Christine Manika

Sports Columnist