OMAHA, Neb. – College of Saint Mary is excited to announce that Sofia Benavidez Sandoval has signed to continue her cross country and track & field careers with the school in the 2026-27 academic year.

The daughter of Ruben Benavidez Alvarez and Cynthia Sandoval, she is a recent graduate of Omaha South High School.

Derek Fey, who is CSM's head cross country coach and a track assistant, said Benavidez Sandoval will fit in nicely with the programs.

"We're excited to have Sofia join our program,'' he said. "Her coach, John Tripp, and I ran together in college and he does a fantastic job preparing his athletes for collegiate running. Omaha South has produced a lot of fantastic college runners, and I have no doubt Sofia will be one of those."

At South, Benavidez Sandoval ran four years of cross country and track, and was a state qualifier in both sports.

She enjoys spending time with friends and chose CSM "because I get to focus on my academics and continue doing the sport I enjoy.''

Fey said Benavidez Sandoval continues the Omaha South pipeline.

"Sofia joins her teammate Cinthia (Alvarado Roman) in this freshman class, and we're excited to have South's top two runners,'' he said. "She joins 11 other incoming first-year runners, our largest class ever. Sofia will fit right in with our culture.''