Sofia Riddle: Wyoming Area’s Rising Star Blazing a Trail in Track, Academics, and Leadership

By: Carrie Miner Yaple | Sportzwire | August 17, 2025 | Photo courtesy Team Photo

Wyoming Area’s Sofia Riddle may only be heading into 8th grade, but her resume already reads like that of a seasoned athlete and student leader. A standout multi-sport athlete and dedicated student, Sofia is quickly making a name for herself not just in her school, but throughout the local athletic community.

Sofia currently competes in basketball, cross-country, and track, and she plans to add indoor track to her winter schedule this year. She’s also gearing up to join the Wyoming Area girls' tennis team as a student manager this fall, gaining valuable experience from the older players before she officially hits the court as a player in 9th grade. This summer she played for WA, with her dad as coach, in the Clutch Summer Basketball League. When she has time, she enjoys hobbies such as golf and fishing.

Despite the demands of her athletic schedule, Sofia maintains strong academic performance. She has been consistently on the Honor Roll, even earning High Honors at the end of the last school year. Her dedication to school is matched by her commitment to her community and church, where she actively participates in outreach programs — including a backpack drive she’s helping with this week.

Track is Her True Passion

Though Sofia is involved in multiple sports, track has captured her heart. “Track is not all about placing and winning medals,” she explains. “It is about dedication, pushing my limits, competing, and most of all having fun and trying to beat my own times.” Her passion for the sport emerged during her 7th-grade year, when she made the difficult choice to step away from soccer — a sport she had played all her life — to focus on running.

Her efforts are paying off. During her junior high track season, Sofia recorded impressive personal records (PRs): 2:36 in the 800m and 1:02 in the 400m. She also competes in the 4x400m and 4x800m relays, showing her versatility on the track.

Recently, she showcased her talent at the Keystone State Games, held at the WBA stadium. Competing in the 14-year-old division, Sofia placed 3rd in the 800m out of 15 athletes and 5th in the 400m out of 13. Trying her hand at the discus for the first time, she also came away with a 2nd place finish — a promising start as she considers adding throwing events to her repertoire.

During last track season Sofia had some big finishes: At the Berwick Invitational she had two 2nd place finishes, in the 800m and 4x800m and a 3rd place finish in the 400m. At the Tunkhannock Invitational she placed 5th in the 800m and her 4x800m team placed 2nd.

Training, Mentorship, and Goals

Sofia’s drive extends far beyond scheduled practices. Three days out of the week, she wakes up at 7:30 AM to run three miles as part of her personal training. She also trains twice a week with her coach and mentor, Kristen Lombardo, who has been instrumental in Sofia’s development both on and off the track.

“Kristen is a great influence on me. I meet with her twice a week for workouts ever since the season ended. She has taught me more than just running. She has given me confidence and she teaches me life lessons,” Sofia shared.

Those lessons are fueling some big dreams. One of her top goals is to break the Wyoming Area high school record in the 800m, currently set at 2:15. She also aspires to earn a college scholarship for track and dreams of attending Notre Dame.

Beyond the Track

Sofia's running career isn't limited to school-sanctioned meets. She’s participated in three 5K races, including the Shiver by the River in Scranton — her first 5K, where she impressively placed 2nd. For the past two years, she’s taken 1st place in her age group in the Jenkins Crime Watch 5K held in Pittston.

And while track is her passion, Sofia’s ambitions extend far beyond sports. She hopes to become a lawyer someday and plans to move south to pursue her dreams.

Advice from an Emerging Leader

For others who may be thinking of taking up running, Sofia has a message filled with the same positive energy that fuels her own pursuits:

“You can do anything you want to as long as you just believe in yourself! Always make sure to have confidence in yourself and don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't do something.”

With her impressive athletic achievements, academic success, and unwavering determination, Sofia Riddle is a young athlete to watch — not just for what she does on the track, but for the leadership, heart, and grit she brings to everything she pursues.

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