It's not odd for a an athletic team to have one set of siblings on a current team, or even to have someone in your family previously compete at a university. The 2009 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi cross country team features not one or two but three different families in the Barlows, Lemkes and Joneses.
Senior Faith and sophomore Daniel Barlow are from San Antonio, senior Meghan and Cody Lemke from Tomahawk, Wisc. and sophomore Emily and freshman Melissa Jones hail from Boerne to make up cross country head coach Shawn Flanagan's version of all in the family.
Faith and Daniel Barlow
The Barlows have known coach Flanagan from some of their earliest days with their dad Stephen having competed at UTSA for Flanagan and growing up in San Antonio, around the Roadrunner program.
Faith competed at UTSA her first three years before deciding to transfer and having to sit out last year due to transfer rules. She came to TAMUCC because of Flanagan. Daniel also transferred in from a previous school competing his freshman year at Johnson Community College in Overland Park, Kan. Like his sister, he wanted to compete for Flanagan, but also wanted to run with his sister.
The two siblings live together off campus in Corpus Christi and agreed that it's nice having a familiar face which creates a comfortable environment. Like any other sibling the two bicker, have fun at each other's expense and Daniel said he enjoys having Faith clean up after him.
Faith is a speech communication major with a secondary teaching certification. Daniel is currently undecided in what he wants to major in.
Asked about their experience of running together:
"It was always nice, having someone to go on runs with, and talk with while on a run," said Faith.
Added Daniel, "I always felt overshadowed by Faith in high school due to her reputation as a high school runner, and just being referred to as her brother." But running in college has allowed him to be his own runner instead of being in her shadow. Both enjoyed having their dad coaching them."
Favorite memory of running together:
"I remember when we were both young and our dad took us to the zoo for a weekly run that included our dad's friends and their kids then we'd go out to lunch afterword," said Faith. She also mentioned races that both ran well with their parents watching.
Daniel's favorite memory was that of when both made it to AAU Nationals in Orlando, Fla. The family left a few days early to go Disney and ran in the race which he said was fun to be able to do with his sister.
Asked about their parents thoughts on the two running together:
Faith said it's definitely easier for both having them both in the same location. Their mom likes it especially since they can look after one another, one phone call instead of two and only have to buy one school's apparel.
"Our parents are both excited even if it's just for one season and my parents aren't as worried for me since I have Faith here," said Daniel.
Both mentioned that the team doesn't seem to mind since each competes for a different team.
If given the chance would the two attend the same school and run on the same team:
"I may choose to do it over again, especially since he always wanted to run for coach Flanagan since our family has a long standing relationship," said Daniel.
Faith added, "I'd do it all over again, absolutely if given the chance."
Emily and Melissa Jones
The Jones sisters, Emily, who is a sophomore, and Melissa, a freshman, are originally from Boerne, Emily is a general business major and Melissa is a sports management major.
Emily is in her first season at TAMUCC after transferring from Tarleton State.
"I wanted something different when I chose to transfer schools," said Emily.
She added that when Melissa chose to come to the Island it sealed the deal for her.
For Melissa, choosing a school with a good running program was important; she also liked the coach and the team.
"When I choose this school I felt that I'd be able to contribute to the program, but it also didn't hurt that campus isn't too far from home," said Melissa.
Since Melissa choose TAMUCC before Emily, both said it didn't factor in the decision for either.
The sisters have always run together but not competitively. Emily said that they were on the same team in both high and middle school. Melissa enjoyed how the two pushed each other through competition with one another.
Each have a different favorite moment of running together:
"When I was a sophomore in high school and Melissa was a freshman our team finished second at the state meet which was special to share," said Emily.
Melissa cites the Dripping Springs track meet her junior year, and the 1600-meter race. "We were side by side most of the race and having it come down to the final stretch competing again each other (was quite memorable)," said Melissa.
"Our parents definitely enjoy having both of us in one place, since it cuts down on travel, is easier to keep track of and they only have to talk with one coach," said Emily.
If given the chance the Jones would do the experience over again since running together is something both have done their entire life.
Meghan and Cody Lemke
The last set of siblings on the team is Meghan and Cody Lemke from Wisconsin. Each cited different reasons for coming to the Island University.
"It was important for me to choose a school and location that could broaden my perspective on people and other values," said Meghan. It didn't hurt that the university was laid back and had a warm atmosphere, she added. Also on her team visit she had a good experience with her hosts and felt her potential was greater based on what coach had planned for her.
"I wanted to get away from the cold weather and the small town atmosphere of home," said Cody. He added that his favorite thing about Corpus Christi is that's it's the complete opposite of anywhere he's ever lived.
"Meghan had arrived first so having a sibling at the school wasn't a factor in her decision in coming here," said Cody mentioning that it made a big difference on his selection. He said that if Meghan wasn't here this year he'd probably would have second guessed moving so far away his first year.
Meghan is double majoring in human resource management and marketing, currently Cody is a mechanical engineering major.
This is the first time the two have been on the same team since Meghan, who redshirted a year at TAMUCC, graduated from high school by the time Cody arrived. With the older Lemke running for a fifth year it gave her a chance to compete with Cody.
"It's fortunate that they we have this opportunity to compete together," said Meghan.
Cody shared, "This is an awesome being on the same team as my sister. It has been a really special experience for us."
Meghan's favorite memory is that the two both won state cross country titles while in high as seniors even with it being in different years. She said it's special because both have reached a common goal.
Parent's thoughts on both running at TAMUCC:
"It's comforting for our parents knowing we can support each other here, which is important given how far we are from home," said Meghan.
"It's a great experience and gives them a chance to see us both at the same time when they travel to an event," said Cody. He added "For our parents it's almost like a little vacation for them, since they have been able to travel a few times a year,"
Thoughts on being on the same team with your sibling:
Meghan mentioned how it's important to focus on yourself, especially during critical workouts. She said she finds it hard to keep yourself in the right place mentally when your younger brother is unhappy or doesn't have a good workout.
Cody said having Meghan here when things get tough is a great bonus for him. The two usually study together once a week. The pair have the same teammates and some of the same friends so they get to hang out other than when competing, which provides a good support system.
Meghan and Cody relish the opportunity running together this year since they'll never have this opportunity again. When asked if they had the opportunity to run on a team again that they'd definitely do it again.
"It speaks well for the program, that it's a family affair here," said Flanagan about having siblings compete for his teams.
Courtesy: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
