Lady Cougars' Snavely sisters get it done

It only takes a few minutes around the Brookstone softball team to see that it is a tight-knit group. Take a closer look at the roster and you'll notice a pair of players that have a special bond that is rare to see in high school or college sports.

Sisters Helen and Katherine Snavely are two key cogs in the Lady Cougars' success this season leading the team to an 11-1 record.

Helen, the older of the two and a senior leader, is the ace of the Brookstone staff. Ironically, Katherine, a sophomore, is the catcher for the Lady Cougars and her older sister.

However, it is nothing new for the sister duo as the pair have been around each other in sports going back to their earliest memories.

"We covered the whole spectrum," laughed Helen. "We played tennis, basketball, gymnastics and track and field all together."

The duo estimated that have been on at least 13 teams together. Considering that Katherine hasn't celebrated her 16th birthday yet, that is an impressive number.

Growing up, Helen and Katherine were like many siblings that are close in age. Helen was Katherine's role model, but that never took the competitive edge between each other.

"Growing up, we had a great relationship and have always been close," commented Helen. "I have always felt like I tried to be a positive influence on Katherine's life from the get go."

That has never stopped Katherine from outdoing her sister though. "Sometimes I try, but that's not always the main focus," laughed Katherine.

Even Helen admitted that competitive nature hasn't gone away. "It drives me," added the older of the sisters, "if she is having a good day, I want to be having just as good of a day as her."

On the field, the sisters try to put all that to the side and focus on the tasks at hand.

"Coach (Nate McConnell) always tells us that we aren't sisters on the field, just teammates," Katherine said.

"When we are on the field, we have to forget everything that goes on at home," Helen said. "It can be hard because sometimes I want to chop her head off since we are always around each other just like any other siblings, but we put that to the side when it comes to game time."

McConnell knows the dynamic between the two, but he said that they are professionals when it comes to the field.

"They go out and take care of business very professionally," added McConnell. "They are constantly behind one another, cheering for each other and I have never once had to go out there during a game and break up an argument."

Sure there are times, like all siblings, that they can get under each other skin.

"Everyone once in a while during practice or workout, when they start barking at each other, I'll just remind them that they wouldn't be arguing with anyone else like that," chuckled McConnell. "But, they are sisters and when the competitive edge comes out, you can understand."

With it being Helen's senior year, both sisters want to have strong seasons, but even with the team getting off to a great start, both players echoed the same statement.

"The season isn't a sprint, it's a marathon," commented the duo. However, Katherine would like to send her sister off as a champion. "I want Helen and our team to do our best. I feel like it's my job to pick up Helen when she is down."

With the time of being high school teammates is winding down, Helen made sure to note the importance of sports in her and Katherine's relationship.

"Playing all the sports together have really helped us bond and I wouldn't want it any other way. If Katherine had chosen cheerleading or something else, we would have been at different practices, but we are always together and that has created a special bond in our lives."

Also playing a special part in the lives of the sisters is their mother Virginia.

"Our mom does anything and everything for us," said the pair. "If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't be who we are today and that means everything to us."

Helen and Katherine share the lead for the best batting average of the team at .516. Helen has one homer and 13 RBIs. Katherine has two homers and 15 RBIs.

In the circle, Helen is 9-0 with 2.03 ERA.

Helen, Katherine and the rest of the Cougar softball team will be in action today at Shaw at 4:30 p.m.

This story was originally published September 14, 2015 at 10:50 PM with the headline "Lady Cougars' Snavely sisters get it done ."