May 14, 2024
Meet Andrew Arnold ’24
The Ultimate Teammate Four sets of twins on W&L varsity sports teams share what it’s like competing side-by-side with their siblings.
In honor of National Siblings Day, we asked four sets of twins who play on various Washington and Lee University varsity sports teams to share what it’s like playing alongside someone who knows you better than anyone.
Sophie and Margaret Cover ’27
Field hockey
Margaret and Sophie Cover ’27 are fraternal twins from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Margaret is older by seven minutes. Margaret is a business administration and French double major, and Sophie is an accounting major.
What was it like growing up a twin?
Sophie: It was awesome. I never had to be worried about going somewhere and not knowing anyone. I always had a friend with me. It was also great entertainment; I don’t think I ever really got bored.
Margaret: I have loved growing up with a twin and am biased in thinking that fraternal twins are the best. My most memorable twin story I can think of is in first grade when we wanted to show off and told everyone that we could do the monkey bars at the same time. I ended up slipping and grabbed onto Sophie to save me from falling. I landed on the ground softly as Sophie cushioned the blow while Sophie landed right below me and broke her arm.
Did you all always play the same sport(s) growing up?
Margaret: I was in competitive gymnastics for the first seven years, so I didn’t really play with my twin and was always at practice. It was more so my older sister and my twin who spent the most time together; they signed up for every sport. But, once I stopped gymnastics, I joined all of my twin’s sports.
Sophie: Margaret was a competitive gymnast until seventh grade, so she was always out of the house at practice. I, on the other hand, tried every sport known to man. Once Margaret quit, though, we played the same sports and got really into field hockey, lacrosse, track and soccer.
What do you love about field hockey?
Margaret: I love the speed of the game and the importance of team play. It’s such a team sport that the best plays happen when everyone on the team contributes, and I find that to be the most rewarding.
Sophie: I just love the competition and the workout it gives you. I find it amazing how I can go into a practice in a bad mood and then by the end of practice I feel amazing; my mood totally shifts, and I feel very fulfilled.
What’s your experience as a DIII athlete at W&L been like? Did you always know you wanted to continue playing in college?
Margaret: I didn’t always know I wanted to play in college, especially on the same team as my sister. I’ve loved my experience on the field hockey team! Practice is the highlight of my day — getting to play the game I love with an amazing group of teammates, all while overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Sophie: The DIII experience has been incredible. It has given me an incredible team that I can always count on and go to if I have problems. It has also allowed me time to pursue my other endeavors. I have time to be in a sorority, have a work study and be a part of clubs on campus, all while having time for my academics.
I actually didn’t think I was going to play hockey in college. Originally, Margaret and I were from Delaware, but we had to move our junior year of high school to Tennessee for our mom’s new job. Field hockey doesn’t exist in Tennessee, and it’s when we moved that I realized how much I loved it and missed it. Because of this, we found a field hockey club in Atlanta. It was a two-hour drive from Chattanooga, but it was so worth it. We would go twice a week and practice from 8 to 10 p.m. then drive home. As bad as it sounds, it was the best thing ever. We were able to play with other transplants from all around the world (like England, South Africa, Argentina, etc.), and we would always end practice with a smile on our faces. And the drives were also super fun — it was great sister bonding and catching up on all the gossip of the week.
What’s it like playing on a team with your twin? Are there any advantages on the field?
Margaret: It’s an added bonus to always have a training partner. Starting in our front yard playing hockey, I would always try and score while Sophie would defend me, leading into our field positions of attack and defense. I find it to be a disadvantage in practice when I am going against her because she knows my next move and how to stop me. But, alternatively, we work well together when we are on the same team and know how each other plays after years of playing together. Additionally, it is always a bonus to have a training buddy when we have to complete our running packets in the summer.
Sophie: Playing with a twin is awesome. And it’s easy; we definitely connect super well because we always practice with each other in and out of season. I love playing on the same side of the field with her because I don’t even need to call her name — she just knows where I’ll pass the ball to her.
Who’s the better athlete?
Margaret: This is a lethal twin question as I think every twin will obviously say themselves — so I think I am the better athlete.
Sophie: Margaret is definitely the better athlete. Coming from a high-level gymnastics program, she won’t toot her own horn, but I will for her: She was level nine as a sixth-grader (level 10 is the highest it goes), and Margaret has this incredible discipline just instilled in her. She’s the one who first took me to work out, and she is always the one to push me during workouts and preseason training. She definitely is one of my main motivators.
Who’s more competitive?
Margaret: I love a competition and will always sign up for any kind of race. But I think Sophie beats me on the competitive side.
Sophie: I think I am more competitive, or at least get really into sports more.
What are the benefits of having a fellow teammate who knows you so well – both on and off the field?
Margaret: It’s comforting to join a team already knowing someone you can rely on. But, over time, my teammates have gotten to know me so well — on and off the field. At this point, having my twin on the team doesn’t make much of a difference, because I feel just as connected to everyone else.
Sophie: We just get each other. We can always rely on each other to work out, hold each other accountable, vent and get advice from each other.
How do you think being a student-athlete has impacted your W&L experience?
Sophie: Being a student-athlete has given me an awesome group of girls to depend on. I am so close to them, and they feel like family. It’s a great workout, and the field is one of my favorite places on campus.
Noah and John Ramos ’27
Men’s swimming
The Ramoses are identical twins from Summerfield, North Carolina; Noah is older by nine minutes. Both are neuroscience majors with minors in business entrepreneurship.
What was it like growing up a twin?
John: Growing up as a twin we definitely have a unique bond compared to other siblings. We have so many similarities such as sports and academic interests, so we tended to do a lot of things together growing up.
Noah: Growing up as an identical twin has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. John is not just my twin; he’s my best friend, and I know I can always count on him, no matter what. One memorable moment was at graduation. John and I had always joked about switching places, and we finally did it as we walked out. None of our teachers realized until afterward, and they told us they had no clue we’d pulled off the switch. It’s moments like these that made growing up as twins so special.
Did you all play the same sport(s) growing up?
John: Growing up we did soccer, swimming and golf, so we were always competing with each other or against each other. It was also easier for our parents to keep us in the same sports.
What do you love most about swimming?
John: What I love the most about swimming is the friendships that I have made on the team and the importance of time management that it has taught me over the years.
Noah: One thing I love about swimming is how clearly hard work pays off. You can feel yourself getting stronger with every practice, shaving off seconds, perfecting your stroke. There’s something addicting about that steady improvement — it fuels this drive to always be better, to push past limits and chase goals you once thought were out of reach. It’s not just about racing others; it’s about racing the person you were yesterday.
What’s your experience as a DIII athlete at W&L been like? Did you always know you wanted to continue competing in college, and at the same school as your twin?
John: Competing at W&L has been the perfect balance of challenging and rewarding. DIII lets me prioritize academics while still being fully invested in my sport. I did not know until later on in high school that I wanted to swim in college. I was not set on going to the same college as Noah, but when we both found a good swim program with good academics, I knew that we were probably going to end up at the same place.
Noah: My experience as a DIII athlete at Washington and Lee has been exactly what I was hoping for. Going into college, I knew I wanted to shift more of my focus toward academics, but swimming has always been such a big part of my life, and still is, that I couldn’t imagine giving it up completely. That’s why competing at the DIII level has been the perfect balance for me. I get to continue doing the sport I love, but in a way that still allows me to prioritize my education and take advantage of everything W&L has to offer.
As for going to the same school as my twin, it wasn’t necessarily the plan. We were open to going our separate ways, but W&L offered both of us a really strong academic experience while still letting us compete at a high level in swimming. It was a rare opportunity that checked all the boxes for both of us, and, in the end, it just made sense.
What’s it like competing on the same team with your twin? Are there any advantages?
Noah: Competing on the same team as my twin, John, has been a really unique and special experience. We’ve been swimming together our whole lives, so there’s definitely a natural rhythm and unspoken understanding between us, whether that’s during a relay or just knowing how to encourage each other after a tough race. We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and I think that helps us push one another in a really productive way.
There’s also a quiet sense of comfort that comes with having him on the team. College can be overwhelming at times, but knowing that someone who’s always had your back is right there in the lane next to you makes a big difference. We’re competitive with each other, of course, but it’s always in a way that makes us better. It’s less about rivalry and more about mutual motivation.
Who’s the better athlete?
John: I would definitely say I am the better athlete, but if you ask him, he would probably say he is.
Noah: John would definitely say he’s the better athlete, but, of course, I’d say it’s me. We’ve gone back and forth over the years, and I think that friendly competition has really helped both of us grow. In a lot of ways, we balance each other out. We each bring something different to the table, whether it’s technique, mindset or race strategy. At the end of the day, we push each other to be better, and I think that’s what matters most.
Who’s more competitive?
John: It’s probably a tie. We are both competitive and hate to lose.
Noah: I’d have to agree with John on this one — it’s probably a tie. We’re both super competitive and definitely hate to lose, whether it’s in swimming, pickup basketball or even something as small as who gets to the car first. That competitiveness has always been a part of our relationship, but it’s always been healthy. It pushes us to work harder, hold each other accountable and never settle. Honestly, growing up with someone just as driven as you are has been one of the biggest reasons we’ve both stayed motivated.
What are the benefits of having a fellow teammate who knows you so well – both as an athlete and student?
John: One of the benefits of having a teammate who knows me so well is that he will give me brutally honest feedback and help hold me accountable to do my best both in the pool and in the classroom.
Noah: One of the biggest benefits is that there’s no hiding anything. John knows when I’m not giving 100%, and he’s not afraid to call me out on it. Whether it’s a tough practice or a late-night study session, he keeps me honest and helps me stay focused. It goes both ways, too; we hold each other accountable and push each other to be better in and out of the pool.
Having someone on the team who knows exactly how you think, how you respond to pressure and what motivates you makes a huge difference. It’s not just about support — it’s about having someone who gets you and is always going to challenge you to rise to the occasion.
How do you think being a student-athlete has impacted your W&L experience?
John: It has taught me to stay on top of my work and not wait until the last minute to do assignments.
Noah: Being a student-athlete has taught me time management in ways I never expected. Between practices, meets and balancing schoolwork, I’ve had to become really disciplined about staying on top of my assignments and not procrastinating. It’s forced me to find a rhythm in my day and prioritize what needs to get done.
At W&L, that’s especially important because the academic rigor is high, and swimming demands a lot of focus, too. But I’ve learned how to maximize my time, whether that’s using the few hours I have between classes to study or setting aside weekends to catch up. Ultimately, it’s helped me manage stress and made me appreciate both my academics and athletics even more.
Katie and Lexie Stone ’27
Volleyball and women’s lacrosse
The Stones are identical twins from Dallas; Katie is older by 12 minutes. Lexie is a mathematics major, and Katie is a physics major with minors in mathematics and philosophy.
What was it like growing up a twin?
Katie: Growing up with a twin has been really fun because I never have to walk into a room alone and always have a best friend next to me. In kindergarten, we switched classes on April Fools’ Day. I think the teachers knew but thought it was funny, so they let us stay switched.
Did you all always play the same sports growing up?
Lexie: Yes, our parents put us in all the same extracurriculars growing up, so we were always together. We both played just about every sport imaginable until we settled on volleyball, basketball and lacrosse.
What do you love about both volleyball and women’s lacrosse?
Lexie: I love the strategy that comes with volleyball and how I am forced to work with the girls on the court next to me. Our W&L team is a group of very different yet very tight-knit players, which has been an incredible experience. I love the physicality and competitiveness of lacrosse. My W&L team is full of very high-achieving and fun players.
Katie: I love how close-knit both teams are. I especially loved last volleyball season when we made it to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history. And I love how motivated our lacrosse team is and how we support each other.
What’s your experience as a DIII athlete at W&L been like? Did you always know you wanted to continue playing in college?
Lexie: Playing sports in college has just enhanced my experience. It gives extra purpose to every single day, and I can feel that I am learning incredible life lessons along the way. I knew I wanted to go to a high academic school with a strong community, and I knew that I would love to continue playing sports if the right opportunity presented itself. When W&L — the perfect academic and social fit — offered me the opportunity to play both sports, I knew it was the right choice.
Katie: I love playing DIII sports at W&L because it has allowed me to continue competing and playing the sports that I love while also having a meaningful experience academically and socially.
What’s it like playing on the same teams with your twin? Are there any advantages?
Lexie: Since Katie and I have grown up playing alongside one another, we have gotten really good at it. Our skills complement each other’s skills, we communicate easily, and we can read each other perfectly. I know her strengths, and she knows mine — we can use that to our advantage.
Katie: Since we have played together for so long, we know each other’s strengths and are really comfortable playing next to each other. We also know how to read each other really well, which sometimes allows us to be able to play without much communication.
Who’s the better athlete?
Lexie: Katie is definitely stronger than I am, but I do not know how to answer that question fully … it might depend on the day. Since we learned how to play our sports together, it is almost as if we each developed in areas where the other one lacked, so we complement one another’s strengths.
Who’s more competitive?
Lexie: We are both very competitive, but we have learned not to compete with each other anymore. That used to be a big problem for us.
Katie: I think we are both extremely competitive.
What are the benefits of having a fellow teammate who knows you so well – both on and off the field/court?
Lexie: On the field and court, Katie knows when I am not performing at my best. She also knows my personality perfectly, so she knows the best way to get me out of a funk.
Katie: It’s nice to play and be around someone who knows me so well because she can tell how I’m feeling without me having to say it. It’s also nice to always have someone to keep me in check.
How do you think being a student-athlete has impacted your W&L experience?
Lexie: Being a student-athlete has really enhanced my experience. As I said, it provides so much extra purpose to every single day. It has also opened so many doors — my teammates have been the ones who have introduced me to many of my extracurriculars outside of athletics and even beyond W&L, which I am very grateful for.
Megan and Elizabeth Zimmerman ’28
Women’s soccer; Megan also plays women’s basketball
The Zimmermans, from Cincinnati, are identical twins who also have a triplet brother, Andrew. Elizabeth is the middle triplet, followed by Megan. Their older sister, Sarah Zimmerman ’26, also attends W&L and plays on the women’s soccer team with the twins and women’s basketball team with Megan. Elizabeth is an undecided major, and Megan is a business administration major.
What was it like growing up a twin?
Elizabeth: Growing up with a twin was like always having someone to do this with. We went to the same schools, played on the same teams, had the same friends, had the same room and did almost everything together. I always had someone to play with and hang out with. As I got older, I would get quite annoyed that I did not have my own “life,” but now going to college together, I am so grateful I get to spend so much time with my best friend and am also grateful we have found our spaces and own things we like separate from each other.
Funny twin mix-ups were common in sports. Sometimes referees would call the foul on the wrong twin during soccer or basketball games, and then things would get really confusing.
Megan: People have mixed us up our entire lives, so I’ve become pretty used to it. For our senior year of high school, we switched places in class on April Fools’ Day. I asked to go to the bathroom and walked out, and then Elizabeth walked in. She was in a different outfit and backpack, and my teacher didn’t notice for the rest of class. The whole class knew that we switched, though, and everyone started laughing at the end of class. I came back into class, and we told him what we did. He felt so bad he couldn’t tell us apart, so he made it his goal to never mix us up again.
Did you all always play the same sport(s) growing up?
Elizabeth: Yes, we have! We have pretty much been on the same team in almost every sport from first-grade baseball with our brother to the W&L soccer team.
What do you love most about soccer?
Elizabeth: I love the team aspect of the sport and how it takes all 11 players to contribute to the team’s success. Competing as a team bonds you more than you realize, and then suddenly you are doing something you love with your best friends. When games get hard or practices get tough, it makes it all worth it.
Megan: I love being able to compete and have something in my life to work toward and feel accomplished and proud of myself. I also love just being able to hang out with my friends and create strong relationships with my teammates.
What’s your experience as a DIII athlete at W&L been like? Did you always know you wanted to continue competing in college, and with your twin?
Elizabeth: I love playing DIII soccer. I have friends at DI schools, and it is a huge commitment. I love the balance of school, soccer and my social life. We work extremely hard during and out of season but definitely have lots of free time during the spring season, which I have enjoyed a lot. I’ve been able to join other clubs like Outing Club, play intramural basketball and join a sorority — all things that have given me so much joy and something I may not have experienced at a DI school. I think I always knew I wanted to play soccer in college, as my mom played soccer and basketball at Cornell University and obviously following in the footsteps of our sister, Sarah. I played three sports in high school, and all gave me so much joy. I love the competitive outlet and being on a team. At first, I thought I wanted to be on a team not with my sisters, but as I looked at other schools, I think I just found that I loved W&L the best, and an added perk was playing with my sisters, which I am very grateful I chose to do.
Megan: I always knew I wanted to continue to play sports in college, just because I loved always playing them and competing. I never thought I would play with Elizabeth; I kind of wanted to go to a different school. But when we were deciding, we both really liked W&L, and I realized that being with Elizabeth would be special. Now at W&L, I am so happy and have loved playing here and with my sisters. I love playing at the DIII level because I can compete at a high and intense level while being able to balance my academics, extracurriculars and social life.
The Zimmerman twins with their older sister, Sarah ’26 (middle)What’s it like having an older sibling on campus to help pave the way and be a fellow teammate?
Elizabeth: She has been extremely helpful in navigating all the troubles of college: helping me figure out my classes, where the health center is or how to balance my school with soccer. She has been a great role model for me. I also love hanging out at her apartment — it reminds me of being home. As for being a teammate, it is so much fun. While sometimes we can argue with each other at practice and maybe go at each other a little too aggressively, in the end, my sisters are my best friends, and they make me a better player and person.
Megan: It was so nice in the beginning to have someone you know you can always go to for advice or just a comforting presence. She has been a great role model, and I strive to be like her every day. She is very confident but always looks out for people and is a great leader. I hope to follow in her footsteps when I am older. Having her as a teammate is great, to have someone who really knows you and holds you accountable to always be your best. Having sisters as teammates is my biggest motivation to play my hardest and keep competing.
What’s it like competing on the same team with your twin? Are there any advantages?
Elizabeth: It definitely is very competitive between us, and sometimes the comparison can get difficult, but, in the end, we always push each other to be better, whether that’s during practices, workouts or runs. During games, we have very good chemistry. We play similar styles of soccer and know each other very well, so I think this allows us to play fast and communicate well between each other.
Megan: We definitely play well together because we have similar styles and know each other’s instincts very well. We are also very competitive, which has pushed us our entire lives to become better athletes.
Who’s the better athlete?
Elizabeth: We are both very similar athletes with similar levels. Megan plays basketball here at W&L and was better at it than me in high school, but, as far as soccer goes, we are pretty similar. There are some things I am better at and some things she is good at, but I think we balance each other out very well.
Megan: I think we have different strengths and balance each other out.
Who’s more competitive?
Elizabeth: I think we are both equally competitive. Similar to our mom and Sarah, we all love competing and want to be the best. I think we can both agree we hate losing and especially hate losing to each other.
Megan: It can depend on the day, but we are both very competitive.
What are the benefits of having a fellow teammate who knows you so well – both on and off the field?
Elizabeth: I think it just makes it easy. If there is an issue on the field, it is not awkward or difficult to talk through it with my twin because she knows me so well and wants the best for me. She knows when I am having a bad day and can cheer me up, whether it be soccer-related or something else. At the end of the day, it honestly just makes practices and games more fun playing with my best friend.
Megan: We play together very well, and we push each other to be better. But also, I have someone who I can tell anything to and be completely myself with. She understands how I see things and is always there to reassure me when I need it. I truly have a built-in best friend who will always be there for me, and I will always be there for her.
How do you think being a student-athlete has impacted your W&L experience?
Elizabeth: Being a student-athlete here has definitely strengthened my experience at W&L. The connections I have made with all the girls on my team, from freshmen to seniors, are so special, and I love being able to see them on campus or going to older girls for advice. The connections with the coaches are also very special, and I know I can depend on them. The schedule has also helped me academically. Knowing I have games or practices allows me to manage my time much better and gives me an outlet away from school where I can relax my mind and just enjoy playing soccer.
Megan: I think I have been able to make meaningful connections with so many people I wouldn’t have met if I didn’t play these sports. Being teammates with someone creates a special friendship because you go through a lot together and get to compete and achieve your goals together. I also think I have learned a lot from being on teams and the commitment it takes to be a part of something like this. It has made me a more organized person and a harder worker and better leader. I have also been able to create so many fun memories on and off the field because of my sports, and I have had such a fun time.
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