Mitchell Torres - High Jump

Trenton, Ontario
Track and Field

I am a 22 year old student athlete at the University of Guelph. I just graduated with a Human Kinetics degree and minor in marketing management. I am returning to the university of Guelph in the fall to pursue a Masters of Science in Marketing and Consumer Studies. I am a captain of the Gryphons Varsity Track and Field team, who were once again one of the strongest teams in the country this year finishing second at the Ontario and Canadian Championships.

I was lucky to be introduced to high jump at a young age thanks to many great teacher and volunteers at my high school Albert College in Belleville, Ontario. Since starting university in Guelph I have improved dramatically and have won multiple individual Ontario Championships, as well as several university team titles at the provincial and national level. With your help I hope to continue my training through the summer and improve to get a chance to become a member of the national team funding program. I also hope to lead the Gryphons to another successful University season and eventually compete for the Canada at international competitions.

This season is particularly important since it is an Olympic year. To qualify for the Olympics I must achieve a very high performance standard and place at the Olympic Trials in July. Qualifications will be very difficult since the standard is higher than I have previously jumped and there are already a couple of Canadian jumpers at that level. Even if I do not make the Olympics, going to the trials is an invaluable chance to learn from the top athletes in the country so I can better prepare for next time. There are multiple other national teams under the Olympic level that I have a good chance at making if I jump well at nationals. Good results at the trials also substantially increase my potential to get funding and qualify for future national teams.

My main need for funding is to allow me to travel and compete at meets across the country this summer. Gas, hotel, meet entry fees and other travel expenses must be covered in advance in order for me to compete. The Olympic Trials this year are being held in Edmonton which is an expensive trip. Some donations will also go towards buying equipment, nutritional supplements and medical care to allow me to train and perform at my best all season.

I fundraised with this program last summer and had a very successful campaign. I raised enough money to allow me to train all summer and compete at the national championships which were also in Edmonton. In the past I was an alternate for the Quest for Gold program, which is a government run program to provide funds to developing athletes. Being an alternate meant I did not receive any financial compensation, but if I compete well at the provincial and national championships this year I may be able to move up into a funded position.