Minnesota Swimming Hub | MN High School Swimming

Matthew and Braden McCormack of Rosemount High School had a bit of company as twins who helped their team do well at the True Team state swimming meet last month.

Three other sets of twins were doing the same thing for their teams as well.

The McCormack twins contributed substantially in Rosemount's third-place finish in Class 2A. Braden was a part of the Irish's record-setting 200-yard medley relay. He finished third in the 100-yard

backstroke and was part of a fourth-place 400-yard freestyle relay team. Identical twin Matthew finished sixth in the 100-yard backstroke and was on both the 400-yard freestyle and 200-yard medley relay teams. 

"Having a twin brother has made it a lot easier for me," Braden said. "We have our own support system. We have someone to compete with; I want to be better than him."

Matthew McCormack said his brother "really helps me get up in the morning for practices. He's faster than me, but it's nice having someone show me that you can be this fast. We give each other courage and criticism."

Rosemount coach Patti Wegner sees the brotherly benefits.

"Especially since they have someone to go through the journey with, someone to share the pain with and all of the positives, too,'' she said. "They cheer for each other all of the time and are always making sure each other is supported."

At Eden Prairie, juniors Dima and Jenia Foster contributed to the team's first-place finish in the Class 2A True Team meet on Jan. 21. Eagles coach Kelly Boston said the twins "definitely contributed to our overall depth'' that helped the team set an all-time point total.

The Fosters, who are not identical, bring different strengths to the pool, Boston said. Dima is stronger with his backstroke while Jenia is more proficient at the butterfly.

"Because they are stronger in different legs of the race, it is fun to watch them race each other and watch the lead change," Boston said.

Identical twins Sean and Michael Wegerson are senior co-captains at Maple Grove High School. Both were integral parts of the school's meet record-setting 400-yard freestyle relay.

"They are similarly matched so they seem to pace each other and have synchronized flip turns,'' Crimson coach Ron Jacobsen said. "They push each other to do better. It is fun to watch them swim."

At Monticello High School, fraternal twins Jack and Paul Fair are junior swimmers who also play varsity football and tennis, Magic coach Dirk Westveer said.

Paul broke individual records for the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle at the Class 1A meet. Jack and Paul also were part of a Monticello relay team that set a meet record for the 200-yard freestyle relay.

The McCormacks can relate to all that success, too.

"[The best part about having a twin brother is] always having someone to talk to and relate to,'' Braden said. "You can always be on each other's side no matter what the debate is."

Calvin Swanson is a University of Minnesota journalism student on assignment for the Star Tribune.