Blacksburg High School has built a destiny in the long distance ranks not only in the state of Virginia but nationally as well. This year, the girl’s team is saying goodbye to their own version of “Wonder Woman”, or in this case, we should say wonder women. Identical twins Kathleen and Joanna Stevens have dominated the competition.

They have rewritten school, district, region, and state records in cross country and in both indoor and outdoor competition this past year.

In the nationally televised Penn Relays, Joanna was the anchor of the distance medley team that was almost a half of a lap behind first place Saratoga Springs, Fla., but she caught the runner and almost put a half lap between BHS and that team. The twins would help BHS set a new Penn Relay record at 11:38.69, thus catching a lot of the national spotlight.

Not bad for two girls that had never ran a long distance until four years ago. They started as soccer players when their family first moved to Blacksburg, and some say they picked up running on a whim.

Well many are glad they did--cause the rest has become history. Joanna says her greatest strength in soccer had always been her speed and that helped as she transitioned to cross country her freshmen year in high school. That year, she saw running would be more rewarding and was where her greater talents lied.

So, the highly ranked girl’s soccer team at Blacksburg High School lost speedy attackers, and the track program gained two young super runners. No one really seems to mind, and those in the running circle seem to look upon it with their own four-leaf clover.

Their coach at Blacksburg High School, James Demarco, calls coaching the two an adventure. “They never imagined they would be as fast as they are no. I guess I didn’t either four years ago. I always knew they could be great and also break five (minutes) in the mile—the benchmark time of a super high school miler for giles.”

Demarco said in their junior year,  both progressed in their training and were able to handle more work and really start to believe they could be good at this.

“It has been a joy to watch them grow as athletes. From athletes that came into the sport with no knowledge about it—to leaving as two of the best in the nation is a remarkable journey full of discipline, desire, great work ethic, and herculean competitive spirit,” he said.

This past weekend, the twins were part of 12 outstanding runners from across the country that competed in the “Dream Mile” in New York City. Each were invited to the event, which was sponsored by Adidas. Kathleen finished in 8th with a time of 4:47.36, while Joanna was 11th at 4:57.77.

The duo has looked to each other for strength and support during several races. Being identical twins has even confused an opponent or two.  In a 1000m race in indoor last year, the two ran the exact same time (2:56.99), and people couldn’t tell who won even from the photo finish.

But the biggest point is that you don’t want to be around their dinner table when discussing the previous or future race.

Kathleen says that competitive nature runs even deeper when it comes to her sister. “Neither of us wants to lose to the other so every practice is like a race. I believe this has been a big factor in making us the runners we have become.”

Joanna says it has been tough racing against Kathleen. “One where the outcome is never certain. Which is mentally straining sometimes, but I think it has produced some of the times we have been able to accomplish.” Both cite it as stressful and exciting, and makes for interesting races.

In the bigger picture, bragging rights has probably been split over the years and might have caused a small fuss around the Stevens table. But if you had ever met the two girls, you would realize they got over it quickly and moved onto the next race.

The real story now is that the two will no longer running together as they head to college. Joanna is headed to Georgetown, while Kathleen is going to the University of Virginia.

Both agree it’s sad, but opens a whole new chapter in their running career. Joanna even calls it some relief. “Just life in general will feel as if some things missing for while. But I think it will be great for both of us to have some time to be individuals for once.”

Kathleen called it weird and a little sad. “I enjoy her company on runs and in races so it will be difficult to have that missing. Hopefully we get to race against each other on a few occasions and will definitely be talking on the phone often.”

Now, they turn their sights to something new without the other.

Joanna has a future goal of the Olympics, but admits a lot has to happen before than. “I hope to make the Worlds team either this year or next. I also hope to be a somewhat of an influence on my team at Georgetown next year.”

Kathleen is looking toward a team goal too. “I hope to help my college team to a good finish at NCAA’s in cross country. I’d also like to keep working hard and improving my times to the best of my ability. I have a goal of never getting injured as well.”

It’s hard to believe after what the two have accomplished at BHS--many think ever better days are yet to come. Their former coach is one of those. James Demarco says athletically both will contribute to their varsity (collegiate) programs. “The other nice thing is they have former teammates at their respective schools that will help them get a good start.”

For now, the two are ready to run a new long distance event on their own without each other at their side. Both repeated it will be strange but just another chapter in their life. Onlookers will now learn how good the Stevens’ twins can be on a much grander scale.

Photo courtesy of MileStat.com