By Mia Oyama ’17
Joe Torter, who says he became a four sport athlete out of newfound interests, made varsity 11 out of 12 of his high school seasons. He received four letters from soccer, four from Tennis, two for hockey and one for winter track.
His junior year, Torter decided to switch from hockey to winter track, showing his athletic abilities.

“I never really focused on one sport,” Torter said. “I just played everything. I would get bored of playing a sport for more than a couple of months straight. I was lucky enough to be able to compete at the varsity level with not as much preparation as other people.”
Torter was on path to receive all 12 varsity letters, but a back injury his senior winter track season meant that he was sidelined for his final season, and he was unable to receive his 12th letter.
In any sport that he plays, Torter has as a huge presence and makes an impact in nearly every play.
He takes control of the field, rink, track or court to dominate his opponent. And his athletic integrity goes beyond the four sports he’s lettered in; he even plays golf and paddleball outside of school for fun with his friends.
His teammates gave him praise for his work ethic.
“He motivates the team to work harder and his effort makes the team better,” senior and soccer teammate Adam Scheckman said.
He always gives 100 percent in any sport that he plays, whether he is competing by himself of with a team.
“There is way more pressure in team sports because you feel as though if you don’t perform, you let yourself and the rest of the team down,” Torter said. “I was nervous for like the first couple try out days, but once I made the team everyone kind of accepted me.”
While watching a game or an athletic event that Torter is participating in, it is hard to not notice him right away.