FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — She’s not just one of the best.<\/p>\n
“She is the best hurdler the Valley’s ever seen,” says Cedric Pulliam.<\/p>\n
Sofia Lopes is determined to keep making history in the Valley.<\/p>\n
“She’s broken all of the Central section records,” Pulliam said.<\/p>\n
Even though she’s a top-three hurdler in the state of California, Sofia says she still hasn’t peaked.<\/p>\n
“I’m always looking for better,” she said. “I guess you could say I’m never satisfied.”<\/p>\n
Her talent level is high, but the Central East senior’s mental toughness is elite.<\/p>\n
That type of strength comes from her family.<\/p>\n
“My mom and my dad have always been my coach,” she said. “They always tell us like, you’re not an average teenager.”<\/p>\n
There’s certainly nothing average about the Lopes household.<\/p>\n
“She’s been around track and field all her life, even when she was in the womb,” Pulliam said.<\/p>\n
All four of Sofia’s older sisters were in college athletics, and her mom ran track at every level.<\/p>\n
“They always say you have to have a different mindset than others, and I think that’s what makes me so locked in,” Lopes said.<\/p>\n
Committing to the next level was a no-brainer.<\/p>\n
“Choosing USC, it wasn’t hard,” Lopes said. “Right when I stepped onto the campus, I just knew.”<\/p>\n
Before Sofia heads down south to a top track and field program in the country, she’s got some business to take care of in the Valley.<\/p>\n
Next week, the best athletes from across the state will meet at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium for the CIF State Championship.<\/p>\n
“I love having competition,” Lopes said. “It pushes me so much more, it builds my fire so much more, so I know that when I run next to someone who might be better than me or have a closer time, I know I’ll get my PR.”<\/p>\n
Sofia holds the Central section record in the 300-meter hurdle, needing to shave off just hundredths of a second to crack the top ten in the nation.<\/p>\n
She’s hoping she’ll get there, running amongst the best in California next weekend.<\/p>\n
“Fresno – people don’t really pay that much attention to it, but a lot of great athletes have come out of Fresno,” Lopes said. “I love when people sometimes, like, they don’t see me as a competitor. It makes me want to push, to show them like I belong here.”<\/p>\n
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