Siblings have always had a large presence in the world of sports. Iconic sibling duos like Peyton and Eli Manning, along with Serena and Venus Williams have taken the world by storm. Likewise, at the Tokyo Olympics, 28 sets of siblings competed. 

While siblings sharing a sport can cause rivalry, it can also enhance their bond. This is the case for the Sammarco siblings.

Jack Sammarco, ‘24, Alex Sammarco, ‘25, and Michael Sammarco, ‘27 are all avid participants in WHHS sports. Alex is a swimmer on the WHHS swim team, Jack plays football, and Michael participates in the wrestling and football programs.

Michael is a center on the WHHS junior high football team and has been playing football since third grade in hopes of soon becoming just as great as his older brother, three-star recruit, Jack. 

“It’s weird playing at the same school as Jack,” Michael said. “Everybody knows him and he’s gotten a lot better since he started playing.” 

Though living up to Jack’s legacy is a daunting task for Michael, he does not let it get to his head. Michael instead uses this pressure to help him become a better player.

“I think I’ll perform at a higher level eventually, and I’m going to work harder than him,” Michael said.

Jack has received a great deal of college football offers and is a star on the field. Jack has recognized the pressure that can be put on his brother and has worked to help him to reach his full potential.

“I’m excited to teach him the ways,” Jack said. “He gives a lot of pushback, though, so I don’t do it too much.”

Despite the pushback, Jack has made it his mission to encourage Michael to reach new heights in his football career.

“He keeps me accountable,” Michael said. “Last year he got me to go to varsity weight lifting so that helped me get stronger.”

Playing the same sport has also allowed the pair to spend a lot of time together and strengthen their bond. Michael often accompanies his brother to his college football visits. 

“We went on a visit to the University of Tennessee and I beat him 35 to zero in front of the tight ends coach,” Jack said. “That was pretty fun.”

Ultimately, playing the same sport has had a positive impact on the Sammarco siblings and they are continuing to enhance their relationship on and off the field.

Sports are also a contributing factor in the dynamic between siblings Mackenzie Givens, ‘24, and SENIOR Kennedi Givens. This year, the Givens sisters played on the girls’ varsity basketball team, making it to the sectional finals. 

Their parents were also into sports throughout their high school years, with their dad continuing to play football in college.

“Our family is really sports driven, especially my dad,” Mackenzie said. “I got forced into doing [basketball] at first, but then after a while, I started loving the game.”

Mackenzie started playing basketball first, and after seeing how much fun her sister was having, Kennedi decided to give the sport a try too. Overall, the sisters have had a lot of influence on each other.

“I honestly look to my sister as a role model through everything from personality to physical traits,” Mackenzie said. 

When the sisters are not on the court playing basketball together, the two are on the track running. Last year, the two ran the 200-meter relay with Jorja Wilkerson, ’24, and SENIOR Danielle Frazier. This season, Mackenzie and Kennedi will run together again in two events, the four-person 200 and 400-meter relays.

“We’re really close. We tell each other everything [and] we do everything together,” Kennedi said.

Mackenzie agrees with this statement. Having a sibling in the same sport gives athletes a rare perspective on their activity.

 “A lot of people definitely can’t say they have what we have,” Mackenzie said.

A contributing factor to the Givens’ close bond is the sports they share. From school, to basketball practices, to drives to and from games, the two spend a lot of time together.

“Basketball has brought us a lot closer,” Mackenzie said. “It definitely brings a little bit of comfort knowing that [there’s] someone you get to go home with every day and just talk about what you did that day.”

While playing a sport with a sibling has its hardships, the Givens believe it is worth it. 

“We definitely do compete with each other, but we work together at the same time,” Kennedi said.

Kennedi also expresses that the two get compared a lot. People often believe that the sisters are twins.

“I wish it didn’t happen because we are different people,” Kennedi said.

Despite outside forces wanting the siblings to compete with each other, both the Sammarcos and the Givens have continued to rise above.

“I would say we’re best friends for sure,” Mackenzie said. “It’s hard to explain, but doing a sport really brings [us] closer.”