Victoria and Sophia Rodriguez say they are fitting in nicely with the tight-knit and welcoming Mercer Island community.

Not long after arriving on the Island with their family from York, Pennsylvania, the newcomers are making an immense impact on the cross country terrain as members of the Mercer Island High School (MIHS) squad.

Along with tearing it up during league meets, the sisters both notched cross country personal bests at the 5K Mook XC Invite at Alderbrook Golf Course in Tillamook, Oregon, on Sept. 23. Freshman Sophia blazed her way to first in 16:49, and junior Victoria nailed down second in 17:03.

The speedy sisters have firmly positioned themselves on the world and national stages as well. Sophia stands tall as the 14-year-old age-group world record-holder at two miles (10:12.33) and 5,000 meters (16:22.30) in the track sphere, according to a MileSplit article. Victoria is a stellar 2K steeplechase runner and placed fourth (6:52.76) at the Nike Outdoor Nationals this year, situating her in the No. 13 spot in the U.S. for the 2023 season.

On what drives her on the course to attain success, Sophia noted: “Just pushing myself to the hardest. Seeing what I can get out of myself by pushing myself past my limits or just better than what I was the day before and proving something.”

Victoria chimed in about what works for her during competitions: “Whenever I go out to race, I try to have fun with it. Just seeing your time at the end and seeing the effort that you put into it, I think that’s what really drives me. Knowing that you gave it your all, and even if it was a bad race, knowing that you still went out there and ran the best that you could. I think that’s just really rewarding.”

Sophia nods her head in agreement with her sister’s assessment of handling oneself on the course.

They both turned on the jets in the running realm in seventh grade and have never looked back. This new era of their running lives at MIHS has been an amazing experience for the duo, they said, noting that their father, Gabriel, took a job at Brooks Running in Seattle and that moved the family westward.

After kicking soccer aside to focus on running, Sophia has been dialed in on the sport: “I give it all to my family and my parents. They really made me love the sport and not take anything for granted in it. I’m very grateful to have the background that I have with my family,” she said.

Victoria, who dropped a minute from last year’s 5K time at the Mook, said she’s pleased with how their fitness levels have grown over the years. It’s been exciting for the girls to unleash their athleticism on new landscape in Washington and Oregon.

“Being able to go out there and run a brand new course is really refreshing,” said Victoria, and Sophia added that taking in different sights along the way is a plus.

On the Mercer Island front, the sisters are enjoying these attractive aspects of the city: it’s unique, friendly and quiet compared to the big cities.

“It’s almost like a whole different world, ‘cause the community’s so nice, all the little shops have their own little meaning and purpose,” Sophia said with a smile.

The Reporter asked the sisters a series of questions to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their lives:

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Victoria: Probably people chewing loud.

Sophia: When you’re telling a story and someone knows that story, and they interrupt you and they finish the story about what you’re just going to say.

What provides inspiration for you?

Victoria: Definitely my parents and seeing how far they’ve come and how hard they worked to achieve what they have. I’d say that definitely gives me inspiration to look up to them.

Sophia: Same with parents and my family. (Also) Just the sport in general. There’s so many eye-opening opportunities to go race in different places and to travel the world to do what you love. That dream of what could happen, what the sport could be if you make it. That’s super cool, too, and inspiring.

What’s a special skill that you’d like to learn?

Victoria: I think playing the piano would be a cool skill to have. I feel that would be very calming and just being able to hop on a piano any time you want and just play something.

Sophia: Picking out all the stars and constellations.

What super power would you like to have?

Victoria: Probably reading people’s thoughts (Sophia bursts out laughing and notes that’s what she was going to say). It could be bad, but it could also be a cool one.

Sophia: Mind reading. That would be amazing.

If you could go to dinner with one person who would that be?

Victoria: One of my grandparents. Just sit down and talk with them about their life (Victoria reads Sophia’s mind once again, she says with a laugh).

Sophia: Muhammad Ali.