James Torres named assistant coach at George Mason

George Mason University
08/29/2006

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason wrestling head coach Mark Weader announced the addition of a full-time assistant coach to his staff as James Torres joins the program from Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J.

"I am pleased to have James join our coaching staff here at George Mason," Weader said. "His previous experience both as a head coach and as an assistant will be a major asset to our program as we look to move to prominence both nationally and in the CAA."

During the 2005-06 season, Torres served as the head coach at Montclair State. Two of Torres´ wrestlers - Derrick Goduto and Bill Beiermeister - qualified for the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships in Ewing, N.J. with Goduto earning All-American honors for a fifth-place finish at the 133-pound weight class.

Prior to serving as the head coach at Montclair State, Torres was the head assistant wrestling coach at Menlo College in Atherton, Calif. from 2002-2005. The Oaks advanced to the NAIA National Tournament in each of Torres´ three seasons, a run that included a team runner-up finish in 2004. Menlo also finished fourth (2003) and 13th (2005) at the national championships during Torres´ tenure with the program. During his three years at the school, Torres assisted in coaching 17 wrestling All-Americans. He also was the Oaks´ head cross country coach.

Torres also served as an assistant coach at both Indiana University, his alma mater, and the University of Indianapolis. While an undergraduate at Indiana, Torres was a four-year letter winner for the Hoosiers and served as the team captain for two seasons. He was a three-time place-winner in the Big Ten Conference and also qualified for the NCAA Division I Championships three times.

Since finishing his wrestling career in 2000 and pursuing coaching, Torres has helped a total of 25 student-athletes earn All-American honors including four finalists and two National Champions.

He holds a bachelor´s degree from Indiana in social and behavorial sciences and recently received his master´s degree in kinesiology from Saint Mary´s College of California.