Torres in shock after coach’s diagnosis

The bad news has affected Torres mentally and physically.

“Your body just gets tired and I feel like I’m drained,” she said. “He keeps telling me, ‘You need to stop crying.”’

Torres and Lohberg share an affectionate relationship, which was evident during the trials when they teased and zinged each other at a joint news conference.

Asked what it was like to coach an, ahem, older woman, Lohberg deadpanned that “Dara is a little bit high-maintenance.” She playfully glared at him and punched him in the arm.

In discussing her training, Lohberg said Torres worked out five times a week. “Or is it four?” he needled as Torres rolled her eyes in mock annoyance.

“He doesn’t take any grief from me,” Torres said Friday. “I’ve had some awesome coaches in my past, but he’s probably the only coach who knows how to handle me the best. I feel so thankful and grateful that we ran into each other and met each other. He’s such a good person.”

Lohberg’s health crisis is the latest surprise for the U.S. swimmers, who set nine world records at the trials, but have been hit with bad news since.

It began with breaststroker Eric Shanteau’s announcement that he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer before the trials. He was cleared to compete in the Olympics and will have surgery after the games.

Two days ago came word that Jessica Hardy had tested positive for a banned substance at the trials, jeopardizing her status on the team. She finished second to Torres in the 50 free and won the 100 breaststroke, her specialty event in which she was a medal threat in Beijing.

“It definitely tests you,” Torres said. “You just have to be stronger when you get hit with adversity. This is where the true champion comes out. The timing isn’t always the best. I can sit there and say that and an hour later I’ll be crying.”

Now, Torres’ mind will be half a world away in the days leading to the Olympics. But Lohberg won’t allow his condition to be a distraction.

“She worked too long and too hard for this to interfere,” he said. “That was a goal we had together and she just needs to follow through.”