The twin sisters are currently sophomores at Central Arizona Junior College where they compete on the college’s track and field team. The two compete in the shot put, discus, weight throw and javelin events. The sisters graduated from Elmore Stoutt High school and hold several national records. They will now compete at the Pan American Junior Championships in Canada on July 31-August 2.
Trevia: That is a hard question. CARIFTA is always one of the biggest competitions for us, and this was my last CARIFTA, so getting a sliver medal was pretty big. I also think at college getting second place at both the indoor and outdoor national [meets] was pretty big for me with personal bests. Those were my biggest accomplishments.
Tynelle: This year was pretty rough for me medal-wise because at CARIFTA I didn’t gain any medals. I did break the record in the weight throw and in the javelin.
What event do you like the best?
Trevia: Shot put: I love that event. My personal best is 14.83 metres.
Tynelle: Right now I think I would say discus. Everybody knows me as the javelin thrower, but I think I am evolving more in the discus.
Who is the better athlete between the two of you?
[Both laugh]
Trevia: We don’t like to compare ourselves to each other. Although we are competitors, we are sisters at the end of the day. I would say both of us are great athletes.
Tynelle: If you look at our personal bests, they are very close. It is up and down. One meet I might be better, and the next meet she would. So it is hard to say who is better.
As an athlete, who has inspired you?
Trevia: [Angela] Bernard started me off in track and field so I have always looked up to her as a coach. My other coach, Omar Jones, was a pretty good athlete, and I have always looked up to him as well because he is very respectable. He knows what we need as an athlete.
Tynelle: I think Omar would be my inspiration too. He was a javelin thrower and when I was younger I would see pictures of him in the P.E. department and all his medals. He is well rounded and has coached us in all of the throws.
When you are not on the track, what do you like to do?
Tynelle: We are pretty lazy. [Both laugh.] When we are at school it is basically training and school. We are so busy. I like going to the beach. But our world revolves around track and school.
Trevia: I really don’t do much. I listen to my music. I always have my headphones in.
If I put on your headphones on right now, what would I hear?
Trevia: Soca.
Tynelle: We listen to music from Trinidad and St. Vincent. We listen to that a lot.
Trevia: It gets us hyped up for our track meets. It makes us jumpy.
What advice would you give a young athlete?
Trevia: You have to be dedicated and you have to train constantly. You can’t give up, even though you will have certain off days.
Tynelle: You can be talented, but you have to be hardworking. For me it is 20 percent talent and 80 percent heart. Be dedicated, and don’t forget schoolwork, because you can’t go anywhere without good grades.
What are you studying at school?
Trevia: Right now we are doing general studies. Everything sounds good to me right now, but when I move on to university I hopefully will branch off into something.
What has been the biggest challenge going from prep sports to the collegiate level?
Trevia: The biggest challenge has been the athletes. When we compete in the Caribbean, we are competing against the same people. But at college there are way more athletes who are more diverse and are throwing the same distance you are. It is not like you are going to win every meet. You definitely have to adapt to that.
Tynelle: I agree. It hurts to say this, but when I throw down here I compete against my sister alone. She is good, but I want to compete against someone who is better than me and is going to push me. The indoor season was a change for me. I had never competed indoors, but I love it.
When you are at school, do you hang out with each other much?
Trevia: We are starting to drift apart.
Tynelle: Not really drift, I wouldn’t call it drifting. [Both laugh.]
Trevia: I have my friends and she has her friends. At the end of the day we always come to each other. We are roommates at school, but we don’t hang out with each other 24/7 like we used to.
Tynelle: I think I am the more quiet one, and she is more outgoing. You always see her with more people jumping up and down, while I will be in my room by myself. We are two completely different people.
Has it always been track and field or have you competed in other sports?
Tynelle: Lots and lots of other sports. We have done everything. Our mom had us involved in everything growing up.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Trevia: As an athlete, one of my biggest goals is to go to the Olympics. That is what every athlete dreams of. Not only make it, but to win a medal for my country. I want to make my mom proud. She is a very hardworking lady. We really want to make our parents proud.
Tynelle: I agree: the Olympics and take care of my family.
Interview conducted, condensed and edited by Todd VanSickle.
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