In cross country, the toughest opponent isn’t the runner beside you; it’s the voice in your head. For senior Sofia Flores-Castro, running has never merely been a matter of collecting medals but rather a journey of pushing personal limits and discovering how far hard work can truly take you.
Head coach Farid Hernandez stated, “Sofia’s strengths are her mental grit to push through a run, [and] her willingness to give advice as a runner. Her only weakness is that some of her teammates might think she is shy, but once you speak to her, she’s completely the opposite.”
Flores-Castro began running with Poly’s Middle School athletic program, where she discovered a passion for track and field. Looking to challenge herself, she joined the varsity cross country team as a freshman and has remained a dedicated member throughout all four years of high school. Now, as the only senior girl, she serves as team captain.
While most cross-country races are three miles long, Flores-Castro made a strong impression in the 1.5-mile category at the 2025 Gaucho XC Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 30, placing 17th out of 109 participants with a time of 10:59.8 minutes. At the 2024 Rosemead XC Invitational last year on Sept. 14, she recorded her personal best in the standard three-mile event, finishing in 24:15 minutes. For comparison, the average three-mile time for women in the U.S. is 31 minutes, according to the American Heart Association.
“Sofia is a very determined person. Once she sets her mind on something, she’ll work really hard to attain it,” said Hernandez.
In cross country, athletes often find themselves running alongside each other, exchanging uplifting sentiments or simply sharing the collective challenge of the course. For Flores-Castro, these moments of mutual support and shared experiences reveal the deeper community within the sport.
The camaraderie Flores-Castro has cultivated among her team is a testament to her mentorship and dedication towards her peers’ progress. Not solely focused on her own improvement, she emphasizes the importance of supporting and uplifting her teammates, especially the underclassmen who look up to her for guidance. Whether it’s offering encouragement during practice or sharing race-day tips, she leads by example while fostering a sense of unity that extends beyond the finishing line.
“Aside from consistent performance, Sofia is also one of the most personable and cordial people I have met, and I am very grateful for the fact that she was so welcoming to me and many of the other teammates,” noted sophomore Kalea Plotnick.
Looking ahead to her athletic journey beyond high school, she hopes to continue running, even if it’s not for a college team. As Flores-Castro begins her final year with Poly, one thing is clear: she will continue to move forward with determination and purpose, no matter where the road ahead leads.