Alyssa (left) and Brittany (right) Potter, junior swimmers, are twins who have been swimming competitively since they were 8 years old. Coach Clark Campbell said the twins share a supportive sibling rivalry between each other.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
At 8 years old, twin sisters Alyssa and Brittany Potter faced a daunting decision. Their parents told them they could choose to either continue their up-and-coming ballet careers or begin their swimming careers.
The twins chose to nix the tutus and sport swimsuits and goggles instead. It was a choice that led all the way to swimming for the Jayhawks, whose season begins with an intrasquad meet Oct. 9.
Alyssa (left) and Brittany (right) Potter, junior swimmers, are twins who have been swimming competitively since they were 8 years old. Coach Clark Campbell said the twins share a supportive sibling rivalry between each other.
“Probably one of the best decisions we ever made,” junior swimmer Brittany said.
With the days of dance in their rear view mirror, the twins began to develop their swimming skills. Although both eventually made a smooth transition to the water, Alyssa suffered through more early struggles.
“When we were younger they actually said that Brittany had talent and I was going to have to work at it,” Alyssa said.
After about a year of witnessing Brittany bring home first place medals, Alyssa began to match her sister’s swimming pace and eventually beat her. This early competition began to drive the two apart.
“When she started beating me, I thought it wasn’t fun anymore,” Brittany said.
Over time, though, they began to view the competition as a means to better themselves both in the pool and out of the pool, instead of getting upset.
That attitude has carried over to their careers at Kansas where Alyssa competes in the butterfly and long distance events and Brittany competes in the butterfly and short distance events.
“They have a very unique sibling rivalry. It’s very positive, very supportive,” coach Clark Campbell said.
Campbell has had the opportunity to coach several sets of twins throughout his coaching career. He said that Alyssa and Brittany were unique in that they had the ability to hunker down and get the job at hand done, but after it’s over move forward without carrying any hurt feelings over.
Alyssa and Brittany have one common event, the 200-yard butterfly. In this, as well as their individual events, they continue to push each other as well as many of the other members on the team.
“I do like swimming against our teammates and seeing that they’re doing well,” Brittany said.
Those teammates, especially the newcomers, aren’t always able to tell the identical twins apart just by looking at them.
“At first everyone was like we are never going to remember you. And people would just say, ‘Hey Potter!’ or something like that,” Alyssa said.
There are small visual clues that are useful in identifying the two. Unlike Brittany, Alyssa has a freckle on her nose and is a little bit taller than her sister. Brittany also has a small freckle in the middle of her forehead. These minute indications are barely noticeable with just a quick glance.
“If you ask any one of them, you get to know us for a month and people say we look nothing alike,” Alyssa said referring to her teammates.
As Brittany and Alyssa enter their junior year, they now have an expanded leadership role as upperclassmen. By all accounts the Potter twins have performed this new responsibility admirably.
“They lead by example in the pool,” junior swimmer and team captain Joy Bunting said. “They always come to practice willing to work hard.”
Campbell echoed this sentiment, but also said that they had improved their vocal leadership skills as well.
“Now that they’re older they’re not afraid to get on to someone who’s maybe slacking a little bit,” Campbell said.
As Alyssa and Brittany continue their swimming careers, their personalities will continue to impact those around them.
“They have a real passion for people,” Bunting said. “They tell stories and interact, and do that in their own way.”
— — Edited by Abby Olcese
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