Good Sports: Sophia Lopes prepares for USC, aiming to make history with Central East

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- She's not just one of the best.

"She is the best hurdler the Valley's ever seen," says Cedric Pulliam.

Sophia Lopes is determined to keep making history in the Valley.

"She's broken all of the Central section records," Pulliam said.

Even though she's a top-three hurdler in the state of California, Sophia says she still hasn't peaked.

"I'm always looking for better," she said. "I guess you could say I'm never satisfied."

Her talent level is high, but the Central East senior's mental toughness is elite.

That type of strength comes from her family.

"My mom and my dad have always been my coach," she said. "They always tell us like, you're not an average teenager."

There's certainly nothing average about the Lopes household.

"She's been around track and field all her life, even when she was in the womb," Pulliam said.

All four of Sophia's older sisters were in college athletics, and her mom ran track at every level.

"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.

Committing to the next level was a no-brainer.

"Choosing USC, it wasn't hard," Lopes said. "Right when I stepped onto the campus, I just knew."

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.

Next week, the best athletes from across the state will meet at Veteran's Memorial Stadium for the CIF State Championship.

"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."

Sophia 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.

She's hoping she'll get there, running amongst the best in California next weekend.

"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."

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