All-star named JV athlete of the year

On the track or on the court, Nica Torres has a love for the game.

The 15-year-old attends St. James Collegiate Institute, which named her junior varsity athlete of the year. Torres has had a busy year with her time split between volleyball, basketball, track and badminton.

Torres put her all into everything she competed in, earning her the year-end title, as well as most valuable player for badminton and track.

"I was really happy," Torres said. "It was an honour to receive that award and just having my name on something that I was to receive."

Torres said that after receiving MVP honours for two sports, she wasn’t taken completely off-guard when she was named athlete of the year, but it didn’t make it any less special. Torres tied with Briana Ehrmantraut for the JV award, while Ehrmantraut’s brother Alex was named JV boys athlete of the year. Angelina Brown was named for varsity girls and Nash Bochstael for varsity boys.

"It was nice to be recognized," Torres said.

She says her mom got her started in a variety of sports when she was young.

"Ever since I was a kid I was active. My mom just set me up with things to do, and moving into middle school, I learned new sports," Torres said.

While she enjoyed everything, she says track stands out to her as the JV girls brought home the provincial banner.

"We made our school pretty proud and that made me really happy because I’ve never gotten something like that," she said. "For track I do sprints, throws and jumps. This year was about pushing myself, knowing that I’m almost at my limit but it’s almost better to push yourself through that, because then you know you furthered your limit and you set further goals for yourself."

The 5-2 athlete played setter for the volleyball team, which had an unsuccessful season.

"It didn’t turn out but I still tried my best. I actually played on the varsity team," Torres said. "It didn’t turn out as the best season but I still worked towards my full potential playing the game with my teammates."

Torres said learning to lose was as important a skill as any. It’s taught her the importance of staying positive for herself and her team.

"Basketball I really enjoyed because I think I improved from last year," she said of her position on wing. "I found more of my comfort zone in playing and I was more aggressive and more focused."

Badminton was difficult in a new way, as Torres played singles.

"I did enjoy it because I knew what I could do better and how to fix my own mistakes and there wasn’t anyone to get down on but myself, so I’ve learned how to pick myself up, relax, take a breath, and continue."