What is it like being a part of the same sports team with a person that you see on a daily basis for most of your life? Sophomore Katie McCann and freshman Jenny McCann might argue with each other on the field hockey field and at home, but they have to set aside these differences when it is game time.
Most students with older siblings have to get comfortable to high school life together, but some have to deal with their older siblings on sports teams as well. Both advantages and disadvantages are found in sibling relationships in terms of teamwork and non-athletic elements.
“I played on the varsity basketball team with my brother, Tyler Schwartz, [and] I enjoyed playing with him better because I looked up to him for both hustle and toughness,” sophomore Steven Schwartz said.
While some younger siblings find it beneficial to have an older figure to look up to and work with, others see disadvantages in this particular situation.
“[I played] junior varsity field hockey with my older sister, Katie McCann, and it’s basically the same, except sometimes we have arguments,” Jenny McCann said. “I don’t particularly enjoy it just because I spend a lot of time with her at home so I’d rather the sport be my getaway.”
The older siblings on the other side of the spectrum also have to deal with their younger siblings.
“It’s not bad playing on the same team as my brother, but sometimes we get competitive, especially since we’re both pitchers on the baseball team,” senior Tyler Schwartz said.
“[My sister and I] play different positions so we’re not competing against each other at all and we [were] familiar with each other’s playing styles,” Katie McCann said. “However, sometimes it gets frustrating when we argue and bicker.”
The developed relationships between siblings on sports teams impact the athletic experiences of their teammates as well.
“I played field hockey with the McCanns and it was definitely a new experience, but they worked together greatly,” sophomore Kunnica Kou said. “It’s different from my relationship with my sister because we don’t really have any goals to work towards like teammates do, so we just fight constantly.”
Coaches must also face this situation as they work towards success for their respective teams.
“On some teams there is a divide between the classes when the girls don’t know each other well. [The McCanns’] relationship helped us to have good team unity,” JV Field Hockey Coach Katie Stribling said. “As a coach, I treat all players equally regardless of their relationship with others.”
Despite the drawbacks regarding sibling relationships that people see on the exterior, many benefits also exist that make these relationships stronger.
“I loved playing with my brother, even though he probably didn’t as much,” Steven Schwartz said. “He’s my biggest idol to look up to.”
