UCLA Mourns the Loss of Daniel De La Torre
July 16, 2024 | Track & Field
LOS ANGELES โ UCLA alum Daniel De La Torre, who competed for the Bruins from 2013-18, has died. The Alhambra, Calif., native was 29.
ย
"I was devastated to learn of Daniel's passing," said The Sherie L. and Donald G. Morrison UCLA Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Joanna Hayes. "He had such contagious energy, and I will forever cherish every moment that I was fortunate enough to spend with him. We mourn his loss with the UCLA community, our hearts go out to his family and friends at this difficult time."
ย
De La Torre was a dedicated and supportive teacher at Almansor Academy, an all-special education school in South Pasadena. He was a professional distance runner; he qualified for the 2024 U.S. Team Olympic Trials after running 2:17:32 at the 2023 California International Marathon in Sacramento. De La Torre used his marathon running and platform to raise money for curriculum development for his students.
ย
While at UCLA, De La Torre was an NCAA qualifier in both cross country and track & field and a second-team All-American in the 5000m in 2017. He earned 2018 MPSF Indoor Track All-Academic Team honors and a 2017 Pac-12 All-Academic second-team selection for cross country. He still holds the No. 6 time at UCLA in the 5000m with a 13:46.14, set in 2017.
ย
Prior to his arrival in Westwood, he claimed six CIF individual titles and six league championships, including the 2012 CIF state cross country championship. He was La Salle High School's one-mile record holder when he stepped foot on UCLA's campus. De La Torre was named the 2012 Pasadena Sun All-Area Cross Country Athlete of the Year in the fall and the Track and Field Athlete of the Year in the spring of his senior season.
ย
Funeral Information
De La Torre's funeral will be held at Holy Family Church in South Pasasdena, Calif., on Friday, July 26. Services begin at 10 a.m. PT.
ย
ย
"I was devastated to learn of Daniel's passing," said The Sherie L. and Donald G. Morrison UCLA Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Joanna Hayes. "He had such contagious energy, and I will forever cherish every moment that I was fortunate enough to spend with him. We mourn his loss with the UCLA community, our hearts go out to his family and friends at this difficult time."
ย
De La Torre was a dedicated and supportive teacher at Almansor Academy, an all-special education school in South Pasadena. He was a professional distance runner; he qualified for the 2024 U.S. Team Olympic Trials after running 2:17:32 at the 2023 California International Marathon in Sacramento. De La Torre used his marathon running and platform to raise money for curriculum development for his students.
ย
While at UCLA, De La Torre was an NCAA qualifier in both cross country and track & field and a second-team All-American in the 5000m in 2017. He earned 2018 MPSF Indoor Track All-Academic Team honors and a 2017 Pac-12 All-Academic second-team selection for cross country. He still holds the No. 6 time at UCLA in the 5000m with a 13:46.14, set in 2017.
ย
Prior to his arrival in Westwood, he claimed six CIF individual titles and six league championships, including the 2012 CIF state cross country championship. He was La Salle High School's one-mile record holder when he stepped foot on UCLA's campus. De La Torre was named the 2012 Pasadena Sun All-Area Cross Country Athlete of the Year in the fall and the Track and Field Athlete of the Year in the spring of his senior season.
ย
Funeral Information
De La Torre's funeral will be held at Holy Family Church in South Pasasdena, Calif., on Friday, July 26. Services begin at 10 a.m. PT.
ย
UCLA New Director of Track & Field: Joanna Hayes
Friday, June 21
UCLA New Director of Track & Field: Joanna Hayes
Friday, June 21
UCLA Track & Field Jim Bush Legends Invite (April 13, 2024)
Wednesday, April 17
powHER of the Pac: UCLA's Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Monday, June 27