Rochester's Sophia Comfere measuring up on the track at Cornell

Apr. 29—ITHACA, N.Y. — As one of the most highly ranked academic institutions in the country, it comes as no surprise that wonder student and athlete Sophia Comfere is being challenged at Ivy League school Cornell.

She's keeping up, but this is even a bit tougher than Comfere — a 4.0 GPA honor student at Century — had imagined.

"Being at Cornell, it is very intense, but I have been loving it so far," said the freshman, also a star middle-distance and 400 runner at the school. "It's always good to be challenged and held to a higher level. It took an adjustment to get used to the level of effort it would take, but I am there now. And I have found a great community here."

The community that the pre-med major has settled into is that track and field team. In their free time, they're often exploring the many hikes in an around Cornell.

Comfere points out that there are lakes, and gorges and plenty of forest around to take walks in.

They often do it as a track community.

"I love my teammates and the coaching staff is all really supportive," said Comfere, one of two Comferes who are competing in the Ivy League. Her older brother Max is a senior sprinter at Columbia.

It didn't take Sophia Comfere long to make a name for herself on this track and field team. In an early season indoor meet, she set a school record, timed in 1:10 in the 500 meters to place second overall in the Ivy League meet.

It was a tone and message setter. Comfere is here to compete and figures to go down as one of the team's best before she is through.

The 500 meters is a race that is only done in the Ivy League and is done indoors. Comfere's signature race is the 800. There, she quickly established a career mark, timed in 2:07.99. A year ago, she set a Century record in the 800 when she ran a 2:10.09. She imagines herself getting in the 2:05 range soon.

She has also made a significant jump in the 400, having gone from her high school best of 55.9 to her current 54.8.

Always a hard worker in high school track where she went through some grueling workouts, Comfere is trying to do the "little" things better now.

"It's not just about harder workouts, but it is also about taking care of my body more and making sure I do the extra things that are required to get to a high level," Comfere said. "I'm trying to be very intentional with my training."

Comfere has not settled on what she will do with her eventual pre-med degree. She says she's still trying to figure out where her primary interests lie. She is thinking research or medical school.

Soon, she intends to do some job shadowing at Mayo Clinic to get a better feel for what's out there.

Comfere's parents, Thomas and Nneka are both Mayo Clinic doctors.