As a twin, there is a societal expectation to have similar interests. For seniors Max and Owen Egr, however, their interests differ by playing two different winter sports. But even though they are not together, they each found success this season.
“Max has always wrestled, and this year he placed fifth at state. I’ve always played basketball, and this year me and the team qualified for state,” Owen said.
Although the two are now part of different teams, they were once teammates in every sport.
“When we were younger, we played every sport Yutan provided,” Owen said. “We always played together because we were the same age; we’re twins. We were always on the same team.”
However, when their high school years approached, the two found themselves leaning towards different winter sports.
“When I was a freshman, I took a look at myself and I did not look like a basketball player, so I stuck with wrestling,” Max said. “Owen decided he liked basketball more, so he went out for that.”
While this change may seem negative, the two found this split beneficial.
“When we did play every sport together, it was enjoyable at times, but sometimes it got a little too competitive,” Owen said. “We would diss on each other after every practice or game.”
Even during the sports they do play together, football and track, the twins have found a way to do their own thing.
“I think one sport with [Owen] is fine. I think every sport with him would’ve been tough. Being in football with him wasn’t too bad because we played different positions, and then track was okay because we also didn’t do the same events,” Max said.
Although the two played different winter sports, they still found ways to support one another.
“When I didn’t have a meet, I went to a lot of Owen’s basketball games and he would do the same for me but with wrestling meets,” Max said. “We also go to the weight room a lot together hoping to improve each other.”
With the support of the other twin, the two ended their senior sports seasons with success.
“My goal since freshman year was to place at state,” Max said. “Every year since then I got better and wanted it even more. I hit the weight room every day and worked hard in every practice. Finally being able to achieve that goal and end my career as a state medalist felt so good.”
Owen agreed, talking about the team side of athletics.
“We were so much more competitive as a group this year. In practice every day, we competed against each other, making the drills more intense. This really made us get better every day and what made us so successful,” Owen said. “It felt good ending my senior season at state and knowing all the hard work we put in during practices and games paid off.”
With their high school years coming to an end, the twins decided it was best to leave athletics behind and attend different colleges.
“Owen and I are going to different colleges, so it’ll be a hard adjustment,” Max said. “Sportswise though, I always did everything for a purpose, whether it was lifting or doing something outside of sports. I’ll still lift after I’m done with sports, but I have no reason to go to the field anymore or do certain lifts for certain things. Then I’ll just miss the competitive level of sports.”
While Max will miss the purpose behind athletics, Owen says he will miss the team aspect of sports.
“I’m gonna miss being with teammates and having the same goals as others. Being competitive with others is so enjoyable and because I’m done with athletics, I’m not gonna have as much of that in college,” Owen said. “It’s so fun to succeed as a team and be with your best friends. It’s just not gonna be the same.”
