Sara Soltani

Bodi Ligons - Student Athlete at the University of Washington (Testimonial)

Ambodai Ligons University of Washington Track Athlete Class of 2024 Cathedral High School in LOS Angeles 800m PB : 1:51.11 400m PB : 47.69 2x CIF State Finalist 1x CIF Runner-up 800m 2x Arcadia Invitational Selections 2x CIF Southern Section Masters Champion 800m 3x CIF Division 3 Team Champion When Coach Sara first showed up on my campus, one of the first things she asked me was, “What are your goals?” I told her: 1:50 in the 800m and 47 seconds in the 400m. Most coaches told me it would be hard to achieve both—that I’d have to focus on one. But she responded, “Then that’s what I’m going to train you to do. At the time, I assumed these were just words. After all, she only had to deal with me for two years before I was gone. Why not do just enough and put your main focus on the young guys fresh with talent. But I would later find out just how far beyond the bare minimum she is willing to go for her athletes. Her role as a coach goes far beyond physical training. Not just for her top performers, but even for the younger athletes still developing. She consistently proves that she is there for them—always willing to go the extra mile. Through my experiences, I’ve learned how capable she is at handling the more complex aspects of being a high-caliber athlete: mental roadblocks, lack of motivation, maintaining health, and recovering from injury. Most importantly, I cannot stress enough how much she genuinely cares for her athletes. My goals became her goals. I would honestly feel sad when I fell short—not because I missed out or failed to meet a standard, but because I knew how much faith she had in me. When I didn’t perform, she never placed blame on me. Instead, she looked inward, asking what she could have done better to prepare me. It was always back to the drawing board. So, if you're looking for someone who will help you grow in every aspect of being an athlete, you'll find no better option. A true role model in the athletic space that coaches and athletes alike should look up to. I credit the majority of my college success to the two years I spent with her—years that shaped and ripened me for the competition I face today.