When Yoselin Torres was born, her grandmother said she would be the “star” of the house—the family’s first granddaughter. From that day on, she became known as Estrella, the Spanish word for “star.” The name stuck. By the time she reached school, she introduced herself simply as Star—and it is a name she continues to live up to.
Now a sophomore at Hennessey High School, Star Torres shines across three sports: basketball, cross country and track. After tearing her meniscus in seventh grade and stepping away from running, she made a full comeback this year, determined to reclaim what she once feared she had lost.
“It was scary. I thought I would not be the same,” Torres said. “But I really enjoy the sport, so I took time, recovered and decided to get back into it.”
She currently competes in long-distance relays during track season and says her team is already off to a strong start, medaling in two relays at their opening meet. Though she usually runs second to last, this season she was moved to the first position. “It is good to start and end with speed,” she said.
Her favorite sport remains basketball, where she plays mostly on the wing. “I perform best there,” she said. “But I like all of them.”
Torres credits her parents as her biggest role models. “Even on tough days, they remind me what I am capable of,” she said. “They help me stay motivated to do my best.”
When not competing, Torres enjoys shopping with her best friend or drawing to relax. “It is peaceful, and I love listening to music while I draw,” she said.
With hard work, smart recovery and family support, Star Torres is building toward a strong junior season and hopes of competing in college—continuing to live up to the name she proudly carries.
