In her high school days, Sophia Mazzoni had a big name and great reputation in track and field circles. The three-time WPIAL and two-time PIAA champ earned her place as one of the top javelin throwers in WPIAL history.
But when the Derry graduate began her college career at Auburn and started throwing against women who were also huge high school stars, she quickly realized she was just another name.
“As a freshman in the SEC, no one really knows who you are,” Mazzoni said. “There are so many freshmen, so many athletes in track and field. The main thing I wanted to do was get people to know who I am.”
And what an introduction it has been. Mazzoni not only has announced her presence as one of the top javelin throwers in the SEC and one of the elite freshmen in the country, but also as one of the best U20 throwers in the world.
“She’s been pretty phenomenal,” Auburn throws coach Joe Riccio said.
Mazzoni hopes to add to a fantastic freshman season with another phenomenal outing when Auburn hosts the SEC championships Thursday through Saturday. Mazzoni ranks first among freshmen and sixth overall in the SEC. Nationally, she is the fourth-ranked freshman and 17th overall.
She will enter the biggest event of her career with a ton of momentum. At the Auburn Tiger Track Classic on April 26, Mazzoni broke her own school freshman record twice, throwing 171 feet, 3 inches before unleashing a throw of 178-5. The performance earned her SEC Freshman of the Week honors, the first Auburn female to claim that honor in 13 years.
Mazzoni’s massive career-best throw qualified her for the U20 World Championships, which will be in August at Oregon’s Hayward Field. She holds the longest throw of any American in that age class, and only three women worldwide have gone farther.
“I did what I needed to do in Pa., and I came into Auburn knowing I had to work hard because I wasn’t up with the big dogs yet,” said Mazzoni, whose best throw in high school was 161-10.
Mazzoni’s growth has seen her quickly turn into one of those big dogs, one of the reasons being her dedication to the weight room. Mazzoni is noticeably more muscular, which is no surprise considering she said she has added at least 50 pounds to all of her max lifts. She’s also now tatted up. Mazzoni has gotten three tattoos since she arrived on campus, including a honeycomb with dragonflies on her left forearm.
Not only was the SEC unfamiliar with Mazzoni before this season, but so was her coach. Riccio is in his first season at Auburn after spending the previous seven at Fresno State. Even though he didn’t recruit Mazzoni to Auburn, Riccio said he quickly became a fan.
“She is fearless about running full speed, stopping on a dime and letting that energy transfer to the throw,” Riccio said. “It’s something you can’t teach. You’re either fearless, or you’re not.”
Mazzoni hopes to one day hold the school record. Kylee Carter was an SEC champion and three-time All-American who threw 199-1 in 2021. Carter has nine of the top 10 marks in program history.
Heading into her first SEC championship, Mazzoni said she doesn’t have expectations, but rather goals, one being to at least match her career best.
Mazzoni’s coach said that is well within the range of outcomes.
“The last time she threw at home, she had a great performance,” Riccio said. “I’m not saying I’m expecting it, but there’s a great possibility she could have another one.”