Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight - Part 3
10/14/2026 3:26:00 PM | Women's Golf
During Hispanic Heritage Month, Jax State Athletics celebrate the rich cultures and traditions of the Hispanic and Latino communities. We are proud to recognize the diversity within our Gamecock family and highlight backgrounds and experiences that make our student-athletes special. At Jax State, we celebrate the individuality of student-athletes and the stories that make each person unique.
This week, we are shining the spotlight on Sophia Blake, a proud member of women's golf.
What does Hispanic/Latino heritage mean to you?
Being Hispanic/Latino means being connected to my family, culture, and where I come from. It is something I am proud of because it has shaped who I am and the values I have grown up with.
What country or countries does your family have roots in?
My family has roots in Mexico(mom) and England(dad).
What is one cultural tradition that is especially meaningful to you?
One cultural tradition that is especially meaningful to me is Día de Muertos. It is a very special time to celebrate and remember our loved ones who have passed away. Families make beautiful ofrendas with many colors, flowers, pictures, and things that remind us of the people we love. I love this tradition because it brings families together and gives us a special moment to remember and celebrate the lives of our loved ones.
How did you get started in your sport?
I started playing golf when I was six years old with my dad. At first, it was something we did together for fun, but over time I started to love the sport and became more serious about it. Golf has been a very important part of my life since then. It has helped me grow as a person, taught me many important lessons both on and off the course, and little by little, it has helped me achieve great things that I once only dreamed about.
Who was your biggest inspiration when you were growing up?
My biggest inspirations growing up were my mom and dad. My dad was the one who introduced me to golf and helped me fall in love with the sport. My mom has always supported me and helped me become the best version of myself every day. She has always shown me that things can be achieved. She also taught me that if I work hard, believe in myself, and keep going, I can accomplish my goals. My parents have always inspired me to work hard and become the person I want to be.
What does representing your family and culture mean when you compete?
Representing my family and culture means a lot to me because I know I am not competing only for myself. I want to make my family proud and show the values they have taught me, like discipline, dedication, and determination.
What are you studying, and what are your career goals?
I am studying business. My goal is to continue my education while also continuing to grow as a golfer and compete at a high level. One of my biggest goals is to become a professional golfer and continue playing the sport at the highest level. At the same time, I would like to build a career in business and use both my education and my experiences as an athlete to create opportunities for myself and continue working toward my goals.
Complete this sentence: "Being a student-athlete has taught me….
Being a student-athlete has taught me the importance of discipline, consistency, and time management. It has taught me how to balance school, golf, and my personal life while always trying to give my best. It has also taught me that not everything will be easy, but if I stay patient, work hard, and keep believing in myself, I can accomplish my goals.
This week, we are shining the spotlight on Sophia Blake, a proud member of women's golf.
What does Hispanic/Latino heritage mean to you?
Being Hispanic/Latino means being connected to my family, culture, and where I come from. It is something I am proud of because it has shaped who I am and the values I have grown up with.
What country or countries does your family have roots in?
My family has roots in Mexico(mom) and England(dad).
What is one cultural tradition that is especially meaningful to you?
One cultural tradition that is especially meaningful to me is Día de Muertos. It is a very special time to celebrate and remember our loved ones who have passed away. Families make beautiful ofrendas with many colors, flowers, pictures, and things that remind us of the people we love. I love this tradition because it brings families together and gives us a special moment to remember and celebrate the lives of our loved ones.
How did you get started in your sport?
I started playing golf when I was six years old with my dad. At first, it was something we did together for fun, but over time I started to love the sport and became more serious about it. Golf has been a very important part of my life since then. It has helped me grow as a person, taught me many important lessons both on and off the course, and little by little, it has helped me achieve great things that I once only dreamed about.
Who was your biggest inspiration when you were growing up?
My biggest inspirations growing up were my mom and dad. My dad was the one who introduced me to golf and helped me fall in love with the sport. My mom has always supported me and helped me become the best version of myself every day. She has always shown me that things can be achieved. She also taught me that if I work hard, believe in myself, and keep going, I can accomplish my goals. My parents have always inspired me to work hard and become the person I want to be.
What does representing your family and culture mean when you compete?
Representing my family and culture means a lot to me because I know I am not competing only for myself. I want to make my family proud and show the values they have taught me, like discipline, dedication, and determination.
What are you studying, and what are your career goals?
I am studying business. My goal is to continue my education while also continuing to grow as a golfer and compete at a high level. One of my biggest goals is to become a professional golfer and continue playing the sport at the highest level. At the same time, I would like to build a career in business and use both my education and my experiences as an athlete to create opportunities for myself and continue working toward my goals.
Complete this sentence: "Being a student-athlete has taught me….
Being a student-athlete has taught me the importance of discipline, consistency, and time management. It has taught me how to balance school, golf, and my personal life while always trying to give my best. It has also taught me that not everything will be easy, but if I stay patient, work hard, and keep believing in myself, I can accomplish my goals.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
Wednesday, October 14
Friday, October 09
Friday, October 02
Sunday, September 27
