We had a chance recently to sit down with the Everett twins, David and Daniel and visit with them. The dynamic duo are sophomores at Westminster Christian Academy. They burst onto the Cross Country scene last year as freshmen, each running below 17:50. Daniel finished the season with a 16:49 and a 16th place finish (and the first freshman) at the Class 3 state meet. This year both are back with a vengeance, including a blistering 15:43 and 16:22 respectively at Orchard Farms.
MoRunners (MR): How did you begin running?
Daniel: Just before 2nd grade, my family moved to Dallas, Texas. The school I was going to there had a run every December called the Jingle Bell Jog. It was a race that every grade ran individually, and it was quite a big deal. The three years that I lived in Dallas I won the race which kind of sparked my interest in running, but I didn't run track until 6th grade.
(MR): How does having a brother on the team affect you?
David: I love running with my brother. He is able to get the best out of me and keep me working hard. I enjoy being able to compete and train with someone that can really push me.
Daniel: Since we are twin brothers, there is a natural competitive nature, so we always want to beat each other. We are always extremely close time wise so we always have someone to push us on hard days.
(MR): How competitive are you with each other?
Daniel: There are no words to describe the competitiveness between David and I. We never ever want to lose to each other. But we still are each other best friends so if one of us has a great race and beat each other, we are happy for each other. We like to have fun with it and we are extremely competitive, but its not one that divides us.
(MR): What are dinner conversations like when you get beaten badly or beat your brother badly?
David: If Daniel beats me bad it is nothing new. We make nothing of it if he wins. The few, 3 times now that I have beaten him have been a big deal for me. It is definitely a change around here when that happens.
Daniel: I tend to edge David out in races but I try not to rub it in. Whenever David does win though we (our family) like to joke around, but there are no hard feelings. We care more about how we run than who wins.
(MR): Track or Cross Country?
David: I enjoy track more. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that I could beat Daniel in the 3200m.
Daniel: Personally, Track. I like the shorter, quicker stuff.
(MR): What are your goals for this season in Cross Country and in Track? Goals for your High School career?
David: My main goal is just to run to the best of my ability and honor my school, and family.
Daniel: Top ten at state this year. All-State Honors in the 1600 this spring. Going 1-2 with my brother in both Cross-Country and 1-2 in Track is our goal for High School.
(MR): Are you looking to run in college?
David and Daniel: Yes.
(MR): How did you train over the summer?
David: Mostly just longer runs. We traveled a lot so it was hard.
(MR): Do you run together over the summer? If so, is it helpful or does it get annoying running with each other everyday?
David: We ran together a lot this summer. We often talked about the upcoming season. It did not get annoying this summer for me. He really makes things fun for me.
Daniel: When we were in the same place, we liked to run with each other just because we tended to run faster and longer when we ran with each other. It also is fun to have someone to talk with you, and we understand each other so it’s more interesting.
(MR): What is your training like during the season?
Daniel: Our coach has us on a hard-easy schedule. We will do 1 hour LSD (Long Slow Distance) runs one day and repeats (from quarter miles to two mile) the next.
(MR): What is your favorite pre race food?
Daniel: The night before I like to eat Chicken Alfredo.
David: I love Olive Garden Breadsticks! They can’t be beat.
(MR): What’s your favorite school subject?
Daniel: Any Math class
David: History, my teacher is cool and makes it fun.
(MR): What’s your favorite band?
Daniel: This varies a lot for me. Right now it would be Thriving Ivory.
David: That always seems to be changing, Right now Anberlin, but I listen to a lot of Between the Trees and Hillsong United.
(MR): What’s your favorite movie?
Daniel: Might Ducks. I grew up in Minnesota so I played a lot of hockey.
David: Anything with Jim Carrey in it.
morunners.com quick six:
MR: Pre-race snack?
David: nature valley bars
Daniel: nature valley bars
MR: Favorite racing shoe?
David: I've used my nike waffles every race in cc and track.
Daniel: Brooks
MR: Favorite non running site?
David: Facebook... obviously.
Daniel: Facebook.
MR: Favorite non running activity?
David: Hanging out with my brothers, playing random sports.
Daniel: Playing sports with my two brothers
MR: Favorite Runner?
David: Ryan Hall
Daniel: Ryan Hall
MR: Favorite pre-Race Song?
David: I don't have one, but for most races a Christian Song that gets me calmed down a bit is Center by Charlie Hall.
Daniel: Song of Hope by Robbie Seay Band.
MR: Thanks for a great interview, David and Daniel! We look forward to seeing your successes as the post season nears.
