AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Sofia Quiles is putting together a standout season at Amarillo High: breaking records, leading relays and earning recognition. But for her, the moment is about more than just the accolades.
“I’m definitely super excited being able to not necessarily just leave like these awards and all the records I broke, but definitely the legacy behind it. Amarillo High is the smallest school in the state of Texas, so for us to be able to, for me to be able to put it on the map, I guess that’s really important for me,” Quiles said.
From young athlete to team leader
Head coach Jonathan Woodward has watched Quiles develop over the years from a young athlete into a leader who continues to set the tone for her team.
“Just awesome how hard she works and she wanted to separate herself kind of from her sister was an amazing hurdler for us, her brother was an excellent thrower, and of course Sofia is just one heck of a sprinter,” Woodward said.
Those results are showing up on the track as Quiles continues to rewrite the record books in multiple events. She currently holds school records in the 200 meters and 400 meters, plus both school and Panhandle records in the 4x200-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay.
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Relay records hold special meaning
Quiles said the relay records are particularly meaningful because of the team aspect.
“Definitely the 4x4 and 4x2 having the school and Panhandle records is super important because that’s more of a team than my 200. Like just breaking that just felt like so surreal, like I did it, like finally I was able to run that fast and like I did it,” she said.
Excellence beyond the track
Whether on the track or on the volleyball court, Quiles continues to lead by example, something Woodward said is what truly sets her apart.
“Awesome that in a field as large as track and field, that y’all recognize someone like Sofia Quiles. She’s a team first person, she’ll do whatever we need her to do to help our team be successful,” Woodward said.
Quiles maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA while competing as a dual-sport athlete. She is part of the Run West Texas Club and served as captain of JET Volleyball. Her accolades include Academic All-State Team honors, TGCA Academic All-State recognition and Defensive Player of the Year.
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“The coaches are great, the teammates are even better, we work hard but we push each other and it’s definitely the culture that just being a Sandie is so much bigger than just being like a track and field athlete,” Quiles said.
She reflected on her impact across both sports.
“Definitely volleyball, we did good, like we were a good team and we went far, and so just being that two-sport athlete that can leave a bigger impact or a wider spectrum of athletes and not just track but not just volleyball,” she said.
A competitor who shows up with a smile
Woodward praised not just Quiles’ athletic ability, but who she is as a person.
“There’s that athletic ability that’s going to be missed on the track but genuinely who she is as a person, she shows up with a smile every day, she’s kind of silly, goofy and then when it’s about time when they say set, she just changes to a different competitor,” he said.
As her high school career comes to a close, Quiles is proud of what she has built along the way.
“It makes me really happy thinking that I feel like I did my job here,” she said.
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