GovState Sophia Flowers At NAIA Track Nationals Thursday 10K Race in North Carolina

GovState Sophia Flowers At NAIA Track Nationals Thursday 10K Race in North Carolina

Flowers will race on Thursday, May 21, at 6:20 PM CT at the Karl Straus Track in Ashville, North Carolina.

 Coach John Niendorf has high praise for his star runner.

"Sophia Flowers has had an amazing freshman year on the track. Our coaching staff couldn't be prouder of her. She has done everything the right way and has worked incredibly hard to get to the point where she is at now. To open up the outdoor season, at North Central she qualified for Nationals in the 10k, running a 36:19 as a freshman. Sophia ran the race tactically smart and negative split in the second 5k of her race. This 10k punched Sophia's ticket to Nationals and ranked her ninth in the country for the long-distance event. The next meet at Elmhurst, her incredible streak of racing continued with a 10:08 3k effort during the Chicagoland Invitational. This placed her at the number one spot in the country for the 3k. After this meet, we had Sophia rest up before Conference and we had her take a couple meets off".

"At the CCAC Outdoor Conference Championship, Flowers was dominate again. She helped the 4x800, featuring Yahaira Rodriguez, Sydney Bonham, and Kaylee O'Sullivan take first place in a very competitive field. On top of that, she was the individual conference champion in the 10k the same day. She then scored points for the Jaguars with her fifth-place finish on day two during the 1500. It has been an incredible outdoor season for Sophia Flowers. Her work ethic and dedication to her craft is truly inspiring. It is going to be a thrilling 10k on May 21st  when she races the 10k one last time this season at Nationals. Sophia will race on Thursday at 6:20 CT at the Karl Straus Track in Ashville, North Carolina."

Sophia Flowers pictured on the podium - after winning the 2026 CCACs 10K race in Joliet