My hands were shaking as I held the pen.
I was about to sign something that felt bigger than just paper.
Signing with the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, was one of the best moments of my life.
It wasn’t just about joining a college team.
It was proof that I made it.
All the early mornings, long practices, and tough races — it had all paid off.
I proved to others and to myself that I could compete at the collegiate level.
Coming from a place where I struggled with confidence and social challenges due to growing up with autism, reaching that point showed me I was capable of achieving something really meaningful.
Running had always been my safe space — the thing that helped me grow and feel grounded.
That signature marked the start of something even bigger: a new chapter.
I was ready.
A Space to Be Myself
Growing up, I found it difficult to come out of my shell and connect with others through typical team sports.
Many sports involved quick decision-making, constant interaction, and a lot of teamwork, which didn’t always feel natural or easy for me.
But running was different.
It gave me a space where I didn’t have to think about anything except moving forward.
Just me and the trail.
That simplicity helped me feel calm and in control. Over time, running became more than just a form of exercise. It became part of my routine. My escape.
I focused on small goals: improving my time, finishing a race, showing up for myself.
And those goals added up.
But it wasn’t always easy. I struggled with overthinking. Nerves. Self-doubt. Some days, I worried about not doing well or letting people down.
Cross-country and track taught me that success isn’t about being perfect or winning every time. It’s about showing up. Putting in the work. Refusing to give up.
Although running is an individual sport, being part of a team helped me grow both socially and emotionally. I learned how to support my teammates, celebrate shared wins, and gradually step out of my shell.
Those experiences have shaped who I am — and who I continue to become.
From Setback to Breakthrough
My college career at the University of St. Thomas has been full of challenges, growth, and proud moments.
Freshman year, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.
It made competing extremely hard. I was often the last to finish. It was frustrating — physically and mentally.
But I didn’t give up.
I kept training. Worked with doctors. Adjusted my diet. Slowly, I started to feel stronger.
That winter, I trained through break and ran the Chevron Half Marathon in 2020.
I crossed the finish line at 1 hour, 40 minutes, and 37 seconds.
That race changed everything.
It reminded me of what I was capable of.
Fast forward to my graduate year — everything came together.
That’s when I finally broke through. I set new school records: 18:50 in the 5K and 40:50 in the 10K.
From barely finishing races to leading the team, setting the pace. That meant everything to me.
All while earning my degrees. I completed my bachelor’s degree in computer science and continued on to pursue my master’s degree in data science.
Those programs were no joke: coding, math, late-night assignments, early morning runs.
There were days I felt completely drained. But I learned discipline. I learned how to push through.
Looking back, college tested me in every way. And I came out stronger.
Balancing It All
One of the most defining moments of college came during my senior spring.
I was working on my senior capstone project in computer science — an interactive data dashboard built with Python. I was analyzing ACT and SAT scores across Texas high schools.
The data was tricky to gather. The coding threw errors. I had to rebuild parts of it more than once.
All while running for the team.
Some mornings started with practice, followed by hours of debugging code, then studying into the night.
There were moments I felt overwhelmed.
But then came the breakthrough.
I presented my project at the university symposium. The next day, I delivered a full speech on the topic. And later that same day, I competed at the SCAC conference meet.
I was the first woman on our distance team to run the 10K.
I didn’t win a medal, but finishing that race — after everything I’d juggled — felt like a victory.
That week summed up everything college taught me: perseverance, balance, and resilience.
What Comes Next
After college, my biggest goal is to build a life that feels balanced and meaningful.
I want to be financially independent. Find a stable career I enjoy. One where I can grow and make a difference.
I’m currently focused on becoming a data analyst. I enjoy discovering patterns, solving problems, and using data to tell a compelling story.
Whether that’s in education, healthcare, or tech, I want to help people make smarter decisions.
But beyond work, I want to build a connection.
As someone with autism, I know how important it is to find people who truly understand you and respect how you see the world.
I hope to find a community where I can be myself, share my perspective, and continue to grow.
And one day, I want a family of my own.
I don’t just want success. I want meaning. Support. And room to keep becoming who I’m meant to be.
Inspired by Stories
There’s one more thing I want to share.
I draw a great deal of inspiration from stories. From anime, comics, music, and art.
To me, anime is more than entertainment. It’s full of stories about perseverance, setbacks, and emotional growth.
Characters push forward even when everything feels like it’s falling apart. That speaks to me.
During long runs or stressful nights, I think of certain scenes or lines. They help me keep going.
Comics are the same. I love how flawed and human superheroes really are beneath their powers. It reminds me that struggles are part of the journey.
Music, too. Whether it’s metal, indie, Latin, or hip hop, I use music to match or manage my emotions. It helps me reflect, reset, and recharge.
And I love to draw.
I’m not a professional artist, but sketching helps me stay grounded. It gives me a space to express who I am beyond grades, races, or deadlines.
All these creative outlets remind me of one thing:
I’m more than just a student or athlete.
I’m someone who feels deeply, reflects often, and keeps moving forward.
Always.
------
📷 Sophia Sanchez and UST Athletics
