David Torrence, a 2003 graduate of Loyola High School, reveals whats a day in the life is like at one of the strongest programs in California and in the US. While at Loyola Torrence race 4:11 and 9:05 for 1600 and 3200 meters. 


5:30am: Alarm Clock. Wake up. Roll out of bed. Eat a quick breakfast, drive to Downtown Los Angeles before the traffic gets saturated to the point where a 20min drive becomes 60+, to get there early because…

6:30am: Practice starts NOW. No hanging out for a second, socializing, tying shoes laces…the run has started, a day’s work is ahead. If you’re late, you are chastised to no end. And this is only the first half. It could be an easy 40min. It could be a weightroom session. More likely it is a dizzying track workout filled with countless intervals . Regardless, they do work. When you’re done, you have 20minutes to shower and get to class at…

8:10am: Class at one of the best academic high schools in southern CA. Competing against your other classmates who have had a couple hours extra rest and way less miles under their belt, until…

2:30pm: Practice #2 under the heat of the LA sun. Running down Venice Blvd, they avoid cars, buses, broken glass, red lights. Coach Lalo Diaz and “Doc” Mesa see the location of the school in the heart of one of the world’s busiest cities, and instead of a curse, develop it into a gift. Today’s workouts could be stairs at the Staple Center, run to the Griffith Observatory, Cemetery Loops, run to the beach or to the Hollywood Sign. Don’t be fooled by the fancy locations…these are brutal. When they’re done, there is some stretching some pep talking and the urgency to get home as fast as possible, BUT….

5:30pm: TRAFFIC. Unfortunately, with the time that school gets out and the length of practice, you are thrown into the hurricanes that are LA freeways. Somedays you wish you could just turn around and sleep on campus. But you push on. All to get home, do your school work, and get ready for the next day…same time, same place.

This the Loyola Cubs Schedule. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (Frid is slightly different, school gets out at 12:30, which sounds nice, but means less recovery). Saturday is a run at a local park or race day. Sunday is off.

To some, this schedule sounds crazy. To the Cubs, this schedule sounds like Victory.

An XC team that routinely gets 100+ members. A school that has to let class out early on track meet days because one quarter of the student population is on the team. A program that trains until the COACHES get tired watching.

They pride themselves on working harder, longer, and tougher then everyone else.

The Cubs have their eyes on the prize… to DO WORK, same time, same place: Fresno.