Double trouble for Wooster foes
When Les Wudarzewski was named Wooster High girls’ soccer coach four years ago, he inherited a package, a 2-for-1 deal.Senior twins Katelyn and Kristin Elliot were part of his first team, and the pair has become an even bigger part of the 2009 squad. Kristin, the youngest by two minutes, was named a captain at the beginning of the year, a decision Katelyn celebrated. That may be the biggest difference this year, as the two have been a constant presence on the field for the Blue and Gold.
“When I watched them, at first I didn’t realize they would be such a huge part of the program,” said Wudarzewski. “When I named my first varsity squad, they were on it. They had a lot of talent and were competitive, too.”
Even though both share many interests and do many things together, there are differences.
“Even though they are twins and do look alike, they are different people,” said Wudarzewski. “Their positions were determined by their personalities. We started playing Katelyn on defense and she doesn’t like to get out of her box sometimes. She’s comfortable with what she does … when we moved her from right (fullback in 2008) to stopper this year, we had to convince her. Kristin is more outgoing and she’ll play whatever or wherever we put her. She is more open-minded and Katelyn is more reserved.
“They’ve always been here – I hope we can find a way for them to play next year,” he laughed. “They are just very special, like a part of the family.”
The twins obviously won’t be playing for the Generals next season and, in fact, they will be going their separate ways.
“We do everything together,” said Katelyn, “but there is a difference in us. I’m quieter and I think I’m more cautious. Kristin is more free-willed. In school I like chemistry and she hates it – she likes physical therapy and I don’t want to do that.”
That last part is what is going to forge the first physical split in their lives.
“She is going far away to school and I want to be close,” said Katelyn. “It’s going to be the first time we’re apart. People ask if I’m going to miss her and I answer not now. It hasn’t hit me. When we go away to college it’ll be, ‘Bam.’ That’s when it will hit me.”
Their closeness is something both enjoy, said Kristin.
“In school we’re competitive, in soccer we’re competitive and we try to see if we can be better,” said Kristin. “We support each other really well.”
That will continue even once there is some distance. While Katelyn is looking at schools such as Ashland or Malone, in part because of their close proximity to home, Kristin is headed out-of-state, although just barely, as she is going to Slippery Rock, Pa.
“It will be weird, but I think I’ll handle it better because I’ll be with (their brother) Bryan and I’m more outgoing,” said Kristin. “If I’m around, I rub off on Kate; by herself, she is more reserved.”
That separation is months away. For now, they are concentrating on a positive finish to the Generals’ season and wrapping up the school year. And, while they know there may be a physical distance between them in the future, there will never be a gulf between the two.
“I don’t think we will go super far away from each other,” said Kristin. “We’re best friends.”
And that, as they both made clear, will never change.