WS athletes are not only winning, they’re also twinning!
Several pairs of twins bring double the talent to WS sports programs, including the football and cross-country teams.
This elite group of twin athletes includes the powerful pair Alex and Sean Vercellone and the daunting duo Tommy and Zach Salvato on the football field, as well as the thrilling two-some Amelia and Grace Wheaton on the track. These Spartans hail the benefits of having a genetically identical teammate to back them up over the course of a season.
“It’s good because I trust him as a player. I don’t have to worry about him screwing up,” said sophomore Zach Salvato.
In the grueling game of football, having a sibling as a teammate can help players through the grind of the long season. Twins have the benefit of being with a teammate who they can bounce ideas off of or discuss games or practices with practically all the time.
“It’s good to have someone you can talk to about the new plays and stuff you’re learning,” said junior Alex Vercellone.
On the cross-country team, the Wheaton twins find it helpful to have a partner who is a close friend and also runs at a similar pace.
“You have a girlfriend and you can joke about what’s going on. Plus, you get your own personal cheerleader,” said senior Grace Wheaton.
As anyone who has a brother or sister knows, there is always sibling rivalry. This competition can have positive effects because it helps push athletes to improve as players.
“We get very competitive all the time. It helps us strive to get better,” said sophomore Tommy Salvato.
However, sometimes competition can lead to discontent among twins.
“We try not to get too competitive because you’re with that person all the time; you have to go home with them,” said G. Wheaton.
Twins often have similar skill-sets and play similar positions. It is even hard to tell them apart; sophomore Brock Vaugn describes the Salvato twins as “the same person.” But twins usually have slight differences in what they bring to the table.It is important that they develop their own identity, considering the competition of having a sibling on the team.
“We try to stress to them that it isn’t the end of the world if one twin out-performs the other on any given day because everyone feels differently on race day,” said cross-country coach Christopher Pellegrini.
Overall, the twin athletes at WS serve as examples for other athletes because of their great attitude and hard work.
“They help motivate me and set an example of what I want to do. They let me know what to expect for the years coming,” said the Vercellone twins’ younger brother, sophomore Eric Vercellone.