LAKEWOOD — Jeff Dull wears his hair a bit long, while twin brother, Evan, wears his short, but aside from that, these identical twins aren’t trying too hard to be different from each other.
Besides being the top two runners on the King’s boys cross country team, the twins, both 17-year-old seniors, take the same classes, have exactly the same grade point average (all As and one A-) and same group of friends.
“We basically do everything together,” Evan said.
Jeff and Evan, four-year lettermen on the King’s boys cross country team, originally didn’t think of themselves as runners.
The Dulls swam, played basketball, soccer, football and ran some track. Their freshman year at King’s the twins turned out for cross country thinking it would get them in shape for basketball.
Soon, the brothers found they were better runners than basketball players, Jeff said.
“I got hints throughout the season from (King’s cross country coach) Rod (Wilcox) that we were running some good times (as freshmen),” said Jeff, who is older by one minute.
The Dulls each have a shot at a state individual title.
“They’re definitely one of the favorites,” Wilcox said. “They’re going to be high on the podium, it’s just how high.”
Rigoberto Jimenez of Royal and Max Reeder of Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) are considered the twins’ main competition at state.
At last year’s state 2A final at Pasco’s Sun Willows Golf Course, Evan finished 14th with a time of 17:18 while Jeff finished 21st in 17:31.
King’s top finisher at state last year, Biniam Tadele, who placed 10th with a time of 17:01, has only run a few races this season. He bulked up in the offseason and turned his attention to basketball, leaving the Dull twins to lead the team.
“Biniam raised the bar last year,” Wilcox said. “They’ve learned from it and taken it a lot further.”
King’s, ranked second in the Washington State Cross Country Coaches’ Association Class 1A poll behind Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) this week, and will try to win their first boys title since 2002.
“It’s going to be tight right to the finish line,” Wilcox said. “Every person counts.”
Besides the Dull twins, the Knights feature sophomore Brandon Dean, junior Connor McMahon and sophomore Griffin McGinley. Junior Austin Dean, and sophomores Erik Halvorson and Phillip Mach, round out the team’s top eight.
“That’s a pack of guys doing good and pushing each other,” Jeff said.
Added Wilcox: “That’s potentially going to make or break our team. The good thing is that they’re all running well right now.”
Evan is recovering from an allergic reaction to a bee or wasp sting that caused his right knee to swell, but is expected to bounce back this week during the Bi-district race at American Lakes Golf Course in Tacoma.
The brothers had a good summer of training but didn’t overexert themselves and have stayed healthy this season.
“It’s been pretty good training with Jeff,” Evan said. “We haven’t been killing ourselves, breaking down.”
During races, the brothers take turns setting the pace, pulling each other along, Evan said. They usually cross the finish line at the same time.
“We’re helping each other. I’ve had a lot of fun this season,” Jeff said. “Evan and I seem to be running better, finishing stronger, not going out as fast.”
Next year’s plans are up in the air but the twins plan to try to walk on somewhere such as George Fox, Whitworth or Seattle Pacific. Or they might join older sister Leanne at the University of Washington and not run in college.
Whatever they decide, the plan is to do it together.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
