Orono Twins Shine at State Track Meet

When their parents suggested they join the track team, Stephanie and Emily Knight were hesitant. 

“Track is very physically and mentally demanding,” said Emily, a sophomore at Orono High School. “It took a lot of persuasion to convince me.”

Eventually, the twins joined the team and never looked back.

Now teammates, the girls placed well at the Minnesota State Track and Field Championships over the weekend at Hamline University. 

Stephanie placed third in the Class AA 800-meter run. Emily placed seventh in the 400-meter dash. 

“I was amazed,” said Stephanie. “I had no idea I had it in me.”

The twins celebrated with lunch at their favorite restaurant, Leeann Chin.

Since running track as freshmen, the girls have been breaking Orono school records.

Stephanie broke the school record for the 800-meter run last year, and topped it this year with a personal best of 2:14:35. Emily holds the Orono records for 400-meter and 200-meter dash.

Besides speed, a trait the twins share is competiveness.

“We both have a competitive drive and determination as athletes and students,” said Stephanie. “Luckily we run different events in track, so the competitiveness isn't as strong there.”

“We refuse to run in the same race against each other,” explained Emily. “There have been instances when we were asked to do that and we had to say no. We hate losing to each other.”

Though the twins share similarities, they are different in some ways. Take their pre-race ritual, for example.

“The morning of a race, I usually eat Cheerios and a banana,” said Emily. 

“The night before, I eat Moose Tracks ice cream,” said Stephanie. 

Before every race, the girls swap motivational quotes. 

“We find an inspirational quote the night before and give it to the other before their race the next day to put on their shoe,” explained Stephanie. 

The motivational quotes help them endure the tough parts of running.

“The pain is hard,” said Emily. “The last 100 meters to the finish can really be painful at times.”  

“The pressure, nervousness and emotional stress before a race are difficult,” said Stephanie. 

“This is the most nerve-racking sport I'm in, for sure,” agreed Emily.

What calms their nerves?

“I pray a lot,” said Stephanie. 

“Moments before my race, I do something my dad taught me,” said Emily. “I breathe in and think ‘Dear Lord’ and then I exhale and think ‘Have mercy on me’. It never fails.”

The girls agree that the best thing about track is the friends they've made.

“Friendships allow the team to become a unit,” said Stephanie. 

At meets, their teammates encourage the girls with shouts of “Twinning!”—a play on Charlie Sheen’s motto, “Winning.”

This summer, the girls will take a break from running track. The closest they’ll get is watching the televised track and field events during the Olympics.  

“Usain Bolt is amazing and fun to watch,” said Stephanie.

“He is insane,” Emily added.

The girls play soccer and hockey the rest of the year. But they already have their sights set on track for 2013. 

“I hope to make it to State again and place even better,” said Emily.  

“I want to be a great team leader, hopefully break more records, and be a role model for my younger teammates,” said Stephanie. 

The girls share tips for achieving their goals: “You need to give 100 percent effort in practices and you need to show up,” said Emily.

“Have fun and relax,” added Stephanie. “Believe in yourself.”

The twins enjoy success in the classroom as well. They are on the A honor roll at Orono. 

Emily’s favorite class is English. Stephanie prefers Spanish. 

“I have no idea what college I want to go to and what I want to be,” said Stephanie. “I do know that I want to stay in the Midwest.”

“I would like to go to the East Coast,” said Emily. 

Doing graphic design for the Orono yearbook inspired Emily to think about studying design or art in college. Where does she see herself 10 years from now? 

“In New York, trying to land a job for a magazine as a graphic designer,” she said. 

Though the girls may end up in living in different parts of the country, they have a bond that will keep them close.

“My sister and I have the same morals and values,” said Stephanie.  “We are best friends.”