WOODBURY — When playing sports, it’s important to develop a connection with teammates. But how is it playing with someone that you have been connected with your whole life?
Juniors Liam and Gavin Sandor, twins on the Nonnewaug boys soccer team, have a different connection on the field compared to their other teammates. Whether they are viewed as teammates or twins on the field, they strive to be their best with each other by their sides.
“I see him as a teammate and I try to treat him with a level of respect and not bully him too much,” said Liam. “It’s kind of nice knowing that my brother is up there and having someone where I know their abilities and someone I can trust and someone to fall back on when I need a little encouragement.”
Gavin said having his brother on the same team is a stress reliever.
“I’m not pressured at all by this kid,” said Gavin. “It’s honestly easier because you have somebody you can go to and look to when you need help.”
While the Sandors agree about their strong bond on the field, they differ on their relationship outside the lines.
“I would say it’s different,” Liam said. “On the field, we talk a lot and we push each other. It’s more about the actual soccer game. Surprisingly, Gavin and I don’t talk very much [outside of soccer] because it’s not as competitive and we are more just helping each other out and chilling.”
“I disagree, honestly,” Gavin said. “I think our relationship off the field is very much stronger than on the field. On the field it is just a team vs. a team competing and we are teammates at that level, but off the field we’re brothers and I value that a lot.”
Toby Denman, the boys soccer coach, said the Sandors’ dynamics now are different than when he first encountered them.
“The first time that I met them was when they were 7,” Denman said. “They were there watching their sister for the girls [soccer] team and they were wrestling. As a responsible adult I felt as though I needed to intervene. I haven’t seen them wrestle recently; maybe they outgrew that stage, maybe they haven’t.”
But Liam and Gavin aren’t the only student-athletes who share the same last name and birthday on the field.
Sophomores Laila and Demetra Jones are also twins on the Nonnewaug field hockey team. They admit they share a slightly different relationship than the Sandors.
“Off the field, we are a lot nicer and we leave each other alone,” said Deme. “On the field, if she sees that I’m doing something wrong, she’ll yell at me, and if I see her doing something wrong, I will tell her.”
“I think that on the field we should be respectful to each other,” said Laila. “I don’t think that we should have anything at home come in between our playing.”
Although both Jones have a level of respect for each other as athletes, there is always an undeniable spark of competition between them, as it is with the Sandors.
“The grass is always greener on the other side,” said Laila. “[But] Deme’s side is not greener; mine is.”
