In this episode of Pending Ratification, host Keenan Gray chats with Mercer Island (WA) junior Sophia Rodriguez. Accomplished not only in cross country and track, but also trail running, Rodriguez shares her experiences in that side of the sport and the challenges of transitioning back to high school races. In addition, Rodriguez touches on her passion for podcasting, moving to a different state and changing teams, and her love for cooking.

Rodriguez finished eighth at Nike Cross Nationals in 2024, following that performance up with a track season full of personal bests, including a 4:46.14 PB in the mile and a 10:07.83 PB in the two mile.

Follow Rodriguez on Instagram at @sophiaa.rodriguezzz and her running accomplishments on Athletic.

Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport.

Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, youtube.com/runnerspace and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.