November 25, 2025 • 20 mins
Sofia Lopes high school champion girls hurdler decides what college shes going to live on the show with CK
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ck on Sports. It is Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
It is my pleasure to have missed Sophia Lopes in
the studio with us today.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Sophia, how are you doing?
Speaker 3 (00:10):
I'm doing good?
Speaker 1 (00:11):
How are you doing fantastic?
Speaker 2 (00:12):
You know why it's such a pleasure because I remember
Sophia when she was just a baby girl. I remember
Sophia when she was just talking about some marsinios.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
All she wanted was.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
A bean and cheese brito. Before she was even on
the track. She was like, can I just get that bean?
And she barrito dog? What do I gotta do to
get a bean and cheese burrito from Arsenios? And now
here you are about to make one of the biggest
decisions of your life.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
It's an honor to have you on the show.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Okay, well, you know, I do want to talk about
you and your family because of course I know the
Lopes family very well, and you know your father and
your mother. They have been playing a big part of
your success. And when we talk about athletes and where
they get to and the success that they have, a
lot of that foundation starts at home. What was it
like getting the knowledge and the information that you needed
(01:06):
to be successful from your parents and then seeing your
siblings who are older than you go through the process
as well.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
It was definitely I definitely use it to my advantage.
Having the parents that I have and being the youngest,
I got to see what not to do, what to do,
and what I definitely learned from those things. And my
parents really did with all the knowledge they have, that's
(01:35):
a major reason why I am where I am.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Well, I'll tell you a lot of the knowledge that
they've given out to not only your family, but to
other families, including mine, very helpful, very insightful. They helped
a lot of kids become successful, go to college in
multiple sports. Here's what I want to ask you, because
when you lived in Nevada, a lot of people were
like Sophia Lopes, she's up next, She's that phenom. You
(02:03):
were getting articles written about you, You had people talking
about you like, man, where is she going to go?
And then you made the transition from being that superstar
in Nevada in Las Vegas to come into Central East
in Fresno. What was it like going from Nevada coming
back to Central East and racing in California?
Speaker 3 (02:26):
It was it was definitely. It took some time to adjust,
but I do think that it was a really great
choice California. It made me a better competitor, and the
competition here was really good. I definitely think that if
(02:47):
I didn't make that switch, it kind of would have
It would have impacted me as it did now.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
And see, the one thing I know about Nevada, I
mean there's a lot of talent there. I would say
the level of competitive Yes, the competitive nature in California
is a lot different. And you look at some of
the meats that you have to run here in California
just to get prepared for the statement, it's insane, whether
it's Mount Sack, you name it. And so you know,
coming out to California, seeing this competition, seeing the level
(03:16):
of athlete on a consistent basis, I'm sure that helped
take you to the next level. Especially you know it
was your junior year, now you're about to be a senior.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Yes, it definitely did. And I feel also the training
out here junior year is my first year training with
my high school team. Okay, I usually just train with
my mom, but there's so much talent on Central East Teeth.
So it definitely also helped boost me up too, you know,
(03:48):
having training partners.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
And irons, sharpens ions.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
You know, it's great when you get around a lot
of athletes that are going to the next level. And
the one thing I will say about Central East, not
only the track team, but if you look at the
basketball team, the football team, we're talking about players, athletes
that are going to the next level and they're exceptional.
One of the best schools when it comes to athletics
(04:12):
is Central East. So you picked a hell of a
school to attend. And I'll tell you right now, you
fit in perfectly. You talked about your mom, and I
want you to talk about your mom. What is your
mom meant to your development, to your career, to your learning, because,
like you said, this is the first year that you
actually trained with the team, but your mom has been
holding it down for you for quite some time.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Yes, my mom is still my coach. She's always going
to be my coach. It's hard, but it's great to
have her as my coach because she knows me personally.
She knows, yes, she knows everything. She knows about me.
She knows about my body, my mind because I'm her daughter,
you know, So it definitely is very beneficial. Sometimes she's
(04:56):
hard on me, but that's it's like I need that,
right I look for when I did during this college process,
I did look for her and some of the coaches.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Okay, and here's what I'll say, because I've known your
mom and your father for quite some time and vow
she is difficult, but she.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Does it with love exactly.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
She presses your buttons, but she does it in a
way to get the best out of you. Yes, And
when it's all said and done, she has the smile
on her face, she has the hug for you, and
she's like, there you go.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
It all paid off.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
And I've seen that not only with your siblings, but
with my family and other athletes that Valors helped train.
Your mom is one of the most genuine, loving coaches
that I've ever seen work with an athlete. And so
to have her and your father and your life, I'm
sure it's been a blessing for you and helped you
get to the point of where you are right now.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
So let's go ahead and talk.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Let's talk about decisions, Let's talk about life choices. Let's
talk talk about Sophia Lopes going into her senior year
at Central East and Sophia Lopes has a lot of
a lot of schools looking at her, a lot of
schools interested, a lot of schools that want to fly
(06:16):
you in. What was it like going through the decision
making process, the recruitment process.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
It was it was overwhelming a bit at first because
it's my obviously my first time, so I had to
like maneuver my way through everything. But it was very like,
it was so inspirational the visits. It was so inspirational.
I got to like envision my like life in college. Like, yeah,
(06:45):
I got to see where I was at. It was
really hard the choices because everything kind of everything. You
have to look at certain things. Does this look right?
Does this feel right? So it was a little bit harder,
but I definitely think that after kind of just weighing
on everything and sleeping on it, I definitely made the
(07:06):
best choice.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Okay, well, we're about to get to the choice. We're
about to get to the choice.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
We're talking to Sophia Lopes, who's about to give us
her decision on which university, which college she's going to attend.
At the next level, an elite hurdler in high school,
she is when you look at schools and you go
through the process, what are some of the things that
you look for? And I'm only asking this question because
there's so many young athletes that they look at the
(07:32):
brands and they go, well, I know Florida State, LSU, Texas,
but they don't think about what it's like as far
as what's campus like going to be like? Yeah, what
are my professors going to be like? And the one
thing that your father said a long time ago, make
sure you select a school that you would want to
(07:53):
be at even if you weren't performing as an athlete.
And that always stuck with me. So for you before
we get your decision, what was it like looking at
the schools from what is life gonna be like?
Speaker 1 (08:07):
So for Sophia Lopes not the track star.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Yes, I definitely looked at when I was going on
campuses and everything. I looked at how close everything was. Okay,
we got to meet with some of the professors. I'm
very I like everything convenient, Like the store is right
here next to my living, my living where I'm gonna
(08:31):
be living, my class is right here. Everything's close. I
can get around, easy time management. I know sometimes I'm
running a little bit behind so I'm close to the
track knowing yourself.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
I like that those are all smart things because and
those are all things that parents want to hear. Parents
are like, Okay, my baby's close to the store. My
baby's close to where track is. I know she runs
a little bit behind. So if she's a little late
that day, I know she's gonna manage it. All very
smart ways of looking at it. But that being said,
(09:02):
I followed your journey. I saw the schools that you
were able to visit. In my mind, you know, when
I see your sister on a visit with you and
I see you smiling, I'm wondering where Sophia is gonna go.
But then I see the Ohio State University. I'm like, well,
there's a reason why it says the Ohio State University.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
There's some advantages there.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Then you got a lot of people like, oh, man,
is she gonna eight clap at UCLA?
Speaker 1 (09:31):
She gonna hit the eight clap?
Speaker 2 (09:32):
I don't know, but Sophia, I want to know where
you're gonna be running track in college. And we're gonna
come right back with that decision next right here with
CK on Sports Fox Sports Radio. We're back with senior
from Central East High School, Sophia Lopes, who's about to
give us her decision after visiting so many prestigious universities
(09:56):
on where she's gonna run track next yeark on Sports
Fox Sports Radio, Sofia, the spotlight is on you.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
I will be running track and finishing my next four
years of college at USC.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
There you go, there you go, fight on, fight on. Okay,
So now now I have to ask you.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
So I'm sure you're extremely proud of Sofia and the decision.
And at the same time, you know, you guys have
had a great relationship with USC. What is it like
to see your baby girl go through this process and
make the decision of.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
USC process that's a great word, because I wanted the
process to be all her. I wanted the decision to
be all her. And I know that ever since she's
been young, she's had a connection to USC. But it
was great that she was able to go out and
visit other environments and other coaches, and it was such
(10:57):
prestigious colleges too, and the biggest prize was Ohio State,
you know. And so I said, well, this might be
something that she may have a challenge with, you know,
because it was it was a It was a great visit.
I mean, when when colleges do it right and they
show her.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
The biggest thing that.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
She wanted to know is where am I going to school?
It was very important for her not to see all
the bells and whistles, but I need to know where
I'm going to school. I need to know the proximity
of my living space and also the track. And I
really loved how she processed it. And then of course
we had a wonderful visit with USC and so her
(11:34):
I wanted to I kind of just sat with her
after each visit and we went over the pros and
cons and it was very important for her to understand
how is my four years of life? I got to
live here four years. Also, I need to know are
they going to take care of me as an athlete?
My nutrition, my health? Am I going to connect with
the coach? Am I going to get the best training?
Who are my training partners? Am I going to get better?
Speaker 3 (11:57):
You know?
Speaker 4 (11:57):
And those are the things that you want to weigh out.
And then and she said she wants to go all
the way with this sport. You know, God willing, because
I do believe that she has the mindset to do so,
Like I say, I just trained her. I give her
the recipe, but it's up to her to go ahead
and make the product right, make herself, do herself, commit
to herself. So she's done that, she's taken away I
(12:17):
give her, and she's made the decision to go and
get hers And so going to USC and making her decision,
I think in my heart, I do believe that was
the best place for her. Just as she said, she
likes a very uh, she likes feel comfortable. So and
I do believe that a smaller campus, well it's not small,
(12:41):
but it was smaller, but it was convenient for her,
comfortable for her. She saw where she's going to go
to class. Coach Merrick gave her a tour and everybody
that was in the tour, he individualized them and showed
them every you know, their classes and and and and
and this is one unique thing about you see and
and Sophia pointed this out that they protect a shield.
(13:05):
And this is one of the very unique things about
about USC is track is prestigious. Yes, it's usually about
the football, you know football team, and that is a
unique spot where they have high high regard for track athletes,
and it's a huge history, huge history for track on campus,
and I think that's what made the biggest difference to
(13:27):
her and also her training partners. I mean, there's some
real heavy hitters that she's going to be training with,
and I think she knows it's going to make her
top dog.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
And her sister Lindsay is there working for USC as well.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
That can't hurt. I mean, you know, I I do
feel very comfortable with that because having once a trojan,
always a trojan, and they have proven that, you know,
Lindsay is a high she's an executive now for USC,
and and I do believe that having her sister there
and and with with with Lindsay's work ethic, we always
(13:59):
knew Linda, you know, how serious she always was, right
how structured her life is. I do believe that she
will shed positive light and be that guide that Sophia needs.
And it doesn't hurt to have that person in your
family on camis with.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
You, completely agree with you, and knowing everyone's dynamic, whether
it's Jaden, Sydney, Baby PJ, Lindsey.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
You name it, Mia. The reality of it is she
could learn a.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Lot from Lindsey professionalism, structure, and Sophia. I'm not saying
you don't have that right now, but girl, you admitted
it earlier. You're like, I know, sometimes I'm running a
little bit behind. Lindsey was never running behind ever. So
I'm very proud of you. I'm very excited for you. Congratulations.
(14:46):
You are now a well, You're gonna be a usc
trojan right now you're running track in Central East. The
goal now is to look at this upcoming track season,
the CIF State meet. That's gonna be one of those
things that everybody looks at in June. So how do
you feel going into your senior year? I know that
you got the recruitment part out of the way. How
(15:06):
do you feel about what's going to happen on the
track From Miss Sophia Lopes her senior season.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
I definitely feel relieved that I kind of got that
whole process out the way. But I'm very, very ready
and excited for this year because I'm starting fresh. I'm
not just moving here this season. Yes, I'm working hard.
I'm harder than I ever have. I feel I'm my goals.
(15:34):
I'm really like I'm pushing to reach those goals. This year.
So I'm definitely I'm on a run.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
No, I get it.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
And you know what, last year you were just getting
used to everything exactly you got here. You had to
get acclimated new surroundings, new teammates, new schooling situation. Now
one year is under your belt. You went to the
CIF state meet last year, you made it to the
final day. Now you're thinking to yourself, Okay, I know
(16:03):
what it takes to get the job done, and that's
where you are now. I'm sure you're excited for this
senior year. I'm sure even more excited that the recruitment
process is over. Is there anything before we let you
go that you want to tell the coaches that you
want to tell your teammates, some of the people that
helped motivate you to maybe get to that next level
(16:25):
and now even go to USC.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
Well, first in Vegas, coach Anderson, because he has he's
always looked out for me as an individual, not even
just a track athlete. Okay, and that did help me.
And even though my mom is my main coach, when
I did get to Central East, I was training with
coach Davis and coach Pulliam and they have been great,
(16:49):
like they push me. They they are they just care
about me as a person, and that definitely built trust
with them and also my teammates. This is probably the
best team I've been on for in a high school.
You know, I just feel like we have a chemistry
(17:10):
with each other and we work well with each other.
And I definitely feel they have also pushed me. Some
of the girls in the team definitely pushed me. I
help them, they help me, right, so, and that's what
it should be, exactly.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
That's exactly what it should be.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
And you know what I'm hearing, knowing where you came from,
I hear a certain amount of maturity and I see
it that you're growing before my eyes. And it's crazy
to go from SOPHIEFI Little Fifi to now Miss Sophia
Lopes who has decided to go to USC And I'm
(17:50):
hearing you talk about teammates and you pushing them, then
pushing you one of the things that I want to
hit on before I let you go. And I think
that this is a valuable lesson for everyone that's listening.
You said something about your coaches, not only your coaches
here at Central East, but your coach in Las Vegas.
Them taking care of you, looking out for you. That's
(18:14):
a big deal, and I think sometimes coaches may not
realize how much it means for an athlete to feel.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Like you care.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
Yes, talk about what it means to be a part
of a process, especially when a coach cares, because more
often than not, coaches just want results and they don't care.
I like when they care because it makes you work.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
Go ahead, Sophia, Yes, it's definitely. It just makes you
also more like prouder to be on that team knowing
that they they care about where you're going after high school.
They don't just care, Okay, high school. She got me
a wain who cares where she goes. They care about
(19:00):
beyond high school. Yes, and they want they want that
for you. They they definitely that makes you want to
go harder and that makes you wanna even push even
harder because they don't just care about me as an
athlete to score them points. They care about me to
me as an individual and how how I'm gonna be
(19:20):
successful later on down the.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Road, Beautiful Miss Sophia Lopes, fight on a usc Trojan.
But right now you're still at Central, still at Central East.
We got the track season coming up. We got the
CIF State meet. I'm focused. I'm focused for you. I'm ready.
Thank you so much for coming on the show today.
(19:42):
Thank you so much for allowing this decision to be
made right here and letting us share it with everybody. First,
we appreciate you, and we're gonna keep our eye on you.
Miss Sophia Lopes going to USC.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
On sports. It is Fox for It's radio.
Ck on Sports. It is Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
It is my pleasure to have missed Sophia Lopes in
the studio with us today.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Sophia, how are you doing?
Speaker 3 (00:10):
I'm doing good?
Speaker 1 (00:11):
How are you doing fantastic?
Speaker 2 (00:12):
You know why it's such a pleasure because I remember
Sophia when she was just a baby girl. I remember
Sophia when she was just talking about some marsinios.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
All she wanted was.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
A bean and cheese brito. Before she was even on
the track. She was like, can I just get that bean?
And she barrito dog? What do I gotta do to
get a bean and cheese burrito from Arsenios? And now
here you are about to make one of the biggest
decisions of your life.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
It's an honor to have you on the show.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Okay, well, you know, I do want to talk about
you and your family because of course I know the
Lopes family very well, and you know your father and
your mother. They have been playing a big part of
your success. And when we talk about athletes and where
they get to and the success that they have, a
lot of that foundation starts at home. What was it
like getting the knowledge and the information that you needed
(01:06):
to be successful from your parents and then seeing your
siblings who are older than you go through the process
as well.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
It was definitely I definitely use it to my advantage.
Having the parents that I have and being the youngest,
I got to see what not to do, what to do,
and what I definitely learned from those things. And my
parents really did with all the knowledge they have, that's
(01:35):
a major reason why I am where I am.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Well, I'll tell you a lot of the knowledge that
they've given out to not only your family, but to
other families, including mine, very helpful, very insightful. They helped
a lot of kids become successful, go to college in
multiple sports. Here's what I want to ask you, because
when you lived in Nevada, a lot of people were
like Sophia Lopes, she's up next, She's that phenom. You
(02:03):
were getting articles written about you, You had people talking
about you like, man, where is she going to go?
And then you made the transition from being that superstar
in Nevada in Las Vegas to come into Central East
in Fresno. What was it like going from Nevada coming
back to Central East and racing in California?
Speaker 3 (02:26):
It was it was definitely. It took some time to adjust,
but I do think that it was a really great
choice California. It made me a better competitor, and the
competition here was really good. I definitely think that if
(02:47):
I didn't make that switch, it kind of would have
It would have impacted me as it did now.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
And see, the one thing I know about Nevada, I
mean there's a lot of talent there. I would say
the level of competitive Yes, the competitive nature in California
is a lot different. And you look at some of
the meats that you have to run here in California
just to get prepared for the statement, it's insane, whether
it's Mount Sack, you name it. And so you know,
coming out to California, seeing this competition, seeing the level
(03:16):
of athlete on a consistent basis, I'm sure that helped
take you to the next level. Especially you know it
was your junior year, now you're about to be a senior.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Yes, it definitely did. And I feel also the training
out here junior year is my first year training with
my high school team. Okay, I usually just train with
my mom, but there's so much talent on Central East Teeth.
So it definitely also helped boost me up too, you know,
(03:48):
having training partners.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
And irons, sharpens ions.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
You know, it's great when you get around a lot
of athletes that are going to the next level. And
the one thing I will say about Central East, not
only the track team, but if you look at the
basketball team, the football team, we're talking about players, athletes
that are going to the next level and they're exceptional.
One of the best schools when it comes to athletics
(04:12):
is Central East. So you picked a hell of a
school to attend. And I'll tell you right now, you
fit in perfectly. You talked about your mom, and I
want you to talk about your mom. What is your
mom meant to your development, to your career, to your learning, because,
like you said, this is the first year that you
actually trained with the team, but your mom has been
holding it down for you for quite some time.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Yes, my mom is still my coach. She's always going
to be my coach. It's hard, but it's great to
have her as my coach because she knows me personally.
She knows, yes, she knows everything. She knows about me.
She knows about my body, my mind because I'm her daughter,
you know, So it definitely is very beneficial. Sometimes she's
(04:56):
hard on me, but that's it's like I need that,
right I look for when I did during this college process,
I did look for her and some of the coaches.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Okay, and here's what I'll say, because I've known your
mom and your father for quite some time and vow
she is difficult, but she.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Does it with love exactly.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
She presses your buttons, but she does it in a
way to get the best out of you. Yes, And
when it's all said and done, she has the smile
on her face, she has the hug for you, and
she's like, there you go.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
It all paid off.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
And I've seen that not only with your siblings, but
with my family and other athletes that Valors helped train.
Your mom is one of the most genuine, loving coaches
that I've ever seen work with an athlete. And so
to have her and your father and your life, I'm
sure it's been a blessing for you and helped you
get to the point of where you are right now.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
So let's go ahead and talk.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Let's talk about decisions, Let's talk about life choices. Let's
talk talk about Sophia Lopes going into her senior year
at Central East and Sophia Lopes has a lot of
a lot of schools looking at her, a lot of
schools interested, a lot of schools that want to fly
(06:16):
you in. What was it like going through the decision
making process, the recruitment process.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
It was it was overwhelming a bit at first because
it's my obviously my first time, so I had to
like maneuver my way through everything. But it was very like,
it was so inspirational the visits. It was so inspirational.
I got to like envision my like life in college. Like, yeah,
(06:45):
I got to see where I was at. It was
really hard the choices because everything kind of everything. You
have to look at certain things. Does this look right?
Does this feel right? So it was a little bit harder,
but I definitely think that after kind of just weighing
on everything and sleeping on it, I definitely made the
(07:06):
best choice.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Okay, well, we're about to get to the choice. We're
about to get to the choice.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
We're talking to Sophia Lopes, who's about to give us
her decision on which university, which college she's going to attend.
At the next level, an elite hurdler in high school,
she is when you look at schools and you go
through the process, what are some of the things that
you look for? And I'm only asking this question because
there's so many young athletes that they look at the
(07:32):
brands and they go, well, I know Florida State, LSU, Texas,
but they don't think about what it's like as far
as what's campus like going to be like? Yeah, what
are my professors going to be like? And the one
thing that your father said a long time ago, make
sure you select a school that you would want to
(07:53):
be at even if you weren't performing as an athlete.
And that always stuck with me. So for you before
we get your decision, what was it like looking at
the schools from what is life gonna be like?
Speaker 1 (08:07):
So for Sophia Lopes not the track star.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Yes, I definitely looked at when I was going on
campuses and everything. I looked at how close everything was. Okay,
we got to meet with some of the professors. I'm
very I like everything convenient, Like the store is right
here next to my living, my living where I'm gonna
(08:31):
be living, my class is right here. Everything's close. I
can get around, easy time management. I know sometimes I'm
running a little bit behind so I'm close to the
track knowing yourself.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
I like that those are all smart things because and
those are all things that parents want to hear. Parents
are like, Okay, my baby's close to the store. My
baby's close to where track is. I know she runs
a little bit behind. So if she's a little late
that day, I know she's gonna manage it. All very
smart ways of looking at it. But that being said,
(09:02):
I followed your journey. I saw the schools that you
were able to visit. In my mind, you know, when
I see your sister on a visit with you and
I see you smiling, I'm wondering where Sophia is gonna go.
But then I see the Ohio State University. I'm like, well,
there's a reason why it says the Ohio State University.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
There's some advantages there.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Then you got a lot of people like, oh, man,
is she gonna eight clap at UCLA?
Speaker 1 (09:31):
She gonna hit the eight clap?
Speaker 2 (09:32):
I don't know, but Sophia, I want to know where
you're gonna be running track in college. And we're gonna
come right back with that decision next right here with
CK on Sports Fox Sports Radio. We're back with senior
from Central East High School, Sophia Lopes, who's about to
give us her decision after visiting so many prestigious universities
(09:56):
on where she's gonna run track next yeark on Sports
Fox Sports Radio, Sofia, the spotlight is on you.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
I will be running track and finishing my next four
years of college at USC.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
There you go, there you go, fight on, fight on. Okay,
So now now I have to ask you.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
So I'm sure you're extremely proud of Sofia and the decision.
And at the same time, you know, you guys have
had a great relationship with USC. What is it like
to see your baby girl go through this process and
make the decision of.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
USC process that's a great word, because I wanted the
process to be all her. I wanted the decision to
be all her. And I know that ever since she's
been young, she's had a connection to USC. But it
was great that she was able to go out and
visit other environments and other coaches, and it was such
(10:57):
prestigious colleges too, and the biggest prize was Ohio State,
you know. And so I said, well, this might be
something that she may have a challenge with, you know,
because it was it was a It was a great visit.
I mean, when when colleges do it right and they
show her.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
The biggest thing that.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
She wanted to know is where am I going to school?
It was very important for her not to see all
the bells and whistles, but I need to know where
I'm going to school. I need to know the proximity
of my living space and also the track. And I
really loved how she processed it. And then of course
we had a wonderful visit with USC and so her
(11:34):
I wanted to I kind of just sat with her
after each visit and we went over the pros and
cons and it was very important for her to understand
how is my four years of life? I got to
live here four years. Also, I need to know are
they going to take care of me as an athlete?
My nutrition, my health? Am I going to connect with
the coach? Am I going to get the best training?
Who are my training partners? Am I going to get better?
Speaker 3 (11:57):
You know?
Speaker 4 (11:57):
And those are the things that you want to weigh out.
And then and she said she wants to go all
the way with this sport. You know, God willing, because
I do believe that she has the mindset to do so,
Like I say, I just trained her. I give her
the recipe, but it's up to her to go ahead
and make the product right, make herself, do herself, commit
to herself. So she's done that, she's taken away I
(12:17):
give her, and she's made the decision to go and
get hers And so going to USC and making her decision,
I think in my heart, I do believe that was
the best place for her. Just as she said, she
likes a very uh, she likes feel comfortable. So and
I do believe that a smaller campus, well it's not small,
(12:41):
but it was smaller, but it was convenient for her,
comfortable for her. She saw where she's going to go
to class. Coach Merrick gave her a tour and everybody
that was in the tour, he individualized them and showed
them every you know, their classes and and and and
and this is one unique thing about you see and
and Sophia pointed this out that they protect a shield.
(13:05):
And this is one of the very unique things about
about USC is track is prestigious. Yes, it's usually about
the football, you know football team, and that is a
unique spot where they have high high regard for track athletes,
and it's a huge history, huge history for track on campus,
and I think that's what made the biggest difference to
(13:27):
her and also her training partners. I mean, there's some
real heavy hitters that she's going to be training with,
and I think she knows it's going to make her
top dog.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
And her sister Lindsay is there working for USC as well.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
That can't hurt. I mean, you know, I I do
feel very comfortable with that because having once a trojan,
always a trojan, and they have proven that, you know,
Lindsay is a high she's an executive now for USC,
and and I do believe that having her sister there
and and with with with Lindsay's work ethic, we always
(13:59):
knew Linda, you know, how serious she always was, right
how structured her life is. I do believe that she
will shed positive light and be that guide that Sophia needs.
And it doesn't hurt to have that person in your
family on camis with.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
You, completely agree with you, and knowing everyone's dynamic, whether
it's Jaden, Sydney, Baby PJ, Lindsey.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
You name it, Mia. The reality of it is she
could learn a.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Lot from Lindsey professionalism, structure, and Sophia. I'm not saying
you don't have that right now, but girl, you admitted
it earlier. You're like, I know, sometimes I'm running a
little bit behind. Lindsey was never running behind ever. So
I'm very proud of you. I'm very excited for you. Congratulations.
(14:46):
You are now a well, You're gonna be a usc
trojan right now you're running track in Central East. The
goal now is to look at this upcoming track season,
the CIF State meet. That's gonna be one of those
things that everybody looks at in June. So how do
you feel going into your senior year? I know that
you got the recruitment part out of the way. How
(15:06):
do you feel about what's going to happen on the
track From Miss Sophia Lopes her senior season.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
I definitely feel relieved that I kind of got that
whole process out the way. But I'm very, very ready
and excited for this year because I'm starting fresh. I'm
not just moving here this season. Yes, I'm working hard.
I'm harder than I ever have. I feel I'm my goals.
(15:34):
I'm really like I'm pushing to reach those goals. This year.
So I'm definitely I'm on a run.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
No, I get it.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
And you know what, last year you were just getting
used to everything exactly you got here. You had to
get acclimated new surroundings, new teammates, new schooling situation. Now
one year is under your belt. You went to the
CIF state meet last year, you made it to the
final day. Now you're thinking to yourself, Okay, I know
(16:03):
what it takes to get the job done, and that's
where you are now. I'm sure you're excited for this
senior year. I'm sure even more excited that the recruitment
process is over. Is there anything before we let you
go that you want to tell the coaches that you
want to tell your teammates, some of the people that
helped motivate you to maybe get to that next level
(16:25):
and now even go to USC.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
Well, first in Vegas, coach Anderson, because he has he's
always looked out for me as an individual, not even
just a track athlete. Okay, and that did help me.
And even though my mom is my main coach, when
I did get to Central East, I was training with
coach Davis and coach Pulliam and they have been great,
(16:49):
like they push me. They they are they just care
about me as a person, and that definitely built trust
with them and also my teammates. This is probably the
best team I've been on for in a high school.
You know, I just feel like we have a chemistry
(17:10):
with each other and we work well with each other.
And I definitely feel they have also pushed me. Some
of the girls in the team definitely pushed me. I
help them, they help me, right, so, and that's what
it should be, exactly.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
That's exactly what it should be.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
And you know what I'm hearing, knowing where you came from,
I hear a certain amount of maturity and I see
it that you're growing before my eyes. And it's crazy
to go from SOPHIEFI Little Fifi to now Miss Sophia
Lopes who has decided to go to USC And I'm
(17:50):
hearing you talk about teammates and you pushing them, then
pushing you one of the things that I want to
hit on before I let you go. And I think
that this is a valuable lesson for everyone that's listening.
You said something about your coaches, not only your coaches
here at Central East, but your coach in Las Vegas.
Them taking care of you, looking out for you. That's
(18:14):
a big deal, and I think sometimes coaches may not
realize how much it means for an athlete to feel.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Like you care.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
Yes, talk about what it means to be a part
of a process, especially when a coach cares, because more
often than not, coaches just want results and they don't care.
I like when they care because it makes you work.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
Go ahead, Sophia, Yes, it's definitely. It just makes you
also more like prouder to be on that team knowing
that they they care about where you're going after high school.
They don't just care, Okay, high school. She got me
a wain who cares where she goes. They care about
(19:00):
beyond high school. Yes, and they want they want that
for you. They they definitely that makes you want to
go harder and that makes you wanna even push even
harder because they don't just care about me as an
athlete to score them points. They care about me to
me as an individual and how how I'm gonna be
(19:20):
successful later on down the.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Road, Beautiful Miss Sophia Lopes, fight on a usc Trojan.
But right now you're still at Central, still at Central East.
We got the track season coming up. We got the
CIF State meet. I'm focused. I'm focused for you. I'm ready.
Thank you so much for coming on the show today.
(19:42):
Thank you so much for allowing this decision to be
made right here and letting us share it with everybody. First,
we appreciate you, and we're gonna keep our eye on you.
Miss Sophia Lopes going to USC.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
On sports. It is Fox for It's radio.
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