Seventeen-year-old Sophie Briscoe is the daughter of Lora and David Briscoe, who have been her biggest supporters, alongside her older sisters Kennedy and Jenna. Kennedy, 21, is a senior at Marshall University, recently married, and enjoys time with her husband Jacob, and their dog, Casey. Jenna, 19, is a sophomore at Marshall, who loves exercising, reading, and spending time with family.

Sophie, a senior at Winfield High School, is a dedicated member of the cross-country and track teams. She first discovered her passion for running in sixth grade but became more serious about the sport after running a half-marathon in Dayton, Ohio, with her mom at the age of 12. “That experience showed me what I was capable of and inspired me to pursue cross country and track more seriously,” Sophie told Stroll Winfield.

Sophie has been part of multiple regional and state championship teams and has earned individual accolades, including first place in the 3200-meter event at regionals and second place in the 4x800 relay at states during her junior year. But Sophie’s favorite memory remains the moment her freshman cross country team won the state championship. “We were all holding hands and praying, hoping our hard work would be recognized,” she shared. “There were only seven of us, and no one believed we could do it. But we did, and it was an unforgettable moment.”

Sophie attributes much of her success to her coaches, including Coach David Bailey, Coach Larry Lester, and Coach Ron Arthur. Each of them left a unique mark on her journey. “Coach Bailey pushed me to strive for greatness, always asking, ‘Do you want to be good, or do you want to be great?’” she said. “Coach Lester’s encouragement and attention to detail kept me focused, and Coach Arthur taught me to overcome mental barriers with stories of his incredible experiences, like running 100-mile races or jumping out of planes during Navy training.”

“Running might seem like an individual sport, but having supportive teammates makes all the difference,” Sophie stated. “We push each other to be better, and have so much fun together, both on and off the track.”

Sophie shared, “What I like most about cross country and track is seeing my hard work pay off.  It is important to challenge  yourself to see how far you’ve come.”

In addition to her athletic achievements, Sophie maintains a 4.2 GPA, serves as President of United for Christ, and is a member of the National Honor Society and student body. She plans to attend West Virginia University to pursue a degree in Interior Architecture after graduation.

When asked for advice for aspiring runners, Sophie emphasized the importance of perseverance. “Never give up, even if it feels impossible at first,” she said. “Hard work will pay off if you stay consistent.”

Through faith, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Sophie inspires those around her—on the track and beyond.