Sophia Gorriaran took on seasoned athletes at this year’s Olympic Track and Field Trials as the youngest runner of the pack. At just 16 years old, the track athlete and incoming high school junior has a bright future ahead of her.

Gorriaran’s siblings formerly ran for the Providence Cobras, a track and field club in Providence, Rhode Island, and the teenager made an effort to join in on the family tradition.

“I just wanted to run with my family, so I started going to practices when I was 3-and-a-half or 4 [years old],” Gorriaran told Runner’s World.

The Rhode Island native is also coached by her dad, Steve, who instills hard work into his children while also ensuring they don’t place too much pressure on themselves.

“I’ve ingrained talent means nothing without work ethic. It’d be a waste in the end, to not use that talent,” Steve, who also competed in football and track for Brown University, said.

The 16-year-old already has six Rhode Island state records, and in addition to excelling in track and field, she is also a nationally ranked high school lacrosse player.

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“I love lacrosse probably as much as I love track,” she said.

Since the track and lacrosse seasons overlap, Sophia had to choose between running in the Olympic Trials or competing in the Girls Lacrosse Rhode Island State Championships, which would be one of the final games she would play alongside her 18-year-old sister, Natasha.

Ultimately, Sophia chose to run at the trials in Eugene, Oregon, just four days after her 16th birthday. She was up against the silver medalist in the 800m at the 2019 IAAF World Championships, Raevyn Rogers. She was also up against the NCAA national champ from Stanford, Olivia Baker, and Kate Grace, who competed in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

“I didn't talk to too many people,” she said. “I don’t think too much about being with [the pros], but it’s cool to be on the start line with them.”

Sophia trailed behind at the beginning of the race but quickly proceeded to the front, finishing fourth out of eight runners with a time of 2:02.26 in the fifth and final heat.

“It was so professional,” she said after placing 19th overall. “It was nice to have this experience at such a young age…I would say I’m satisfied. I was hoping for a better time but maybe next year.”

Despite the outcome of the trials, the rising junior won’t be slowing down anytime soon.

Next, she plans to earn a bid to either the Nike Cross Nationals or the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships. Her season begins with Rhode Island’s Injury Fund and continues with race dual meets in addition to the Ocean State Invitational before championship season commences.

She can also set her sights on track and field world championships in Eugene next summer and luckily, age is on her side if she qualifies for the next Olympic Trials in 2024.

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