Rebels’ Wards go stride for stride

By Fred Jeter

Published: November 20, 2008

Identical twins Alec and Kyle Ward share the same hair, eyes, nose, voice . . . and, most definitely, the will to win.

Imagine a kid that just won't quit.

Now, double that vision.

"Alec and Kyle race, and they race tough . . . two of the toughest I've ever coached," Douglas Freeman cross country coach Brian Reutinger said.

The seniors paced the Rebels to Colonial District and Central Region crowns, then a take-notice third at the state Group AAA meet.

"We reached all our goals," Alec said. "It was pretty much the perfect season."

Kyle said, "It's hard to believe all we accomplished. We just kept building momentum throughout."

At Great Meadow -- site of the state meet -- Alec was 12th (16:15 for 3.1 miles) and Kyle 19th (16:35) against a field of 137.

Team supreme: The Rebels were unscathed during regular-season duals, setting the stage for the heroic finish.

The Wards were joined by seniors Colin Custer and Craig Cilley, juniors Carson Hogge and Will McPherson and sophomore Silas Frantz.

"Now, we hope to keep it going," Kyle said, "and continue to be one of the best track teams around the region and state."

The Ward twins, along with Eric Davies and Lewis McPherson, who graduated, formed half of Freeman's region champion 3,200-meter relay last spring.

"Really, the half mile [800] is my best event," Alec said. "I'm way out of my comfort zone in cross country."

Last May at regionals, Alec was fourth (1:59.21) at 800 and Kyle 10th (2:01.75) under coach Sherry Edwards.

Seeing double: Even the twins' father, Mike, admits to having trouble telling them apart from a distance.

"You hope they're wearing different shoes," he said of the 5-10 140-pounders.

To help with identity, they generally wear their hair at different lengths with Alec sporting the longer locks.

"We kind of coordinate our haircuts," Alec said. "If we get it cut at the same time, we look exactly alike."

Supporting cast: The twins no doubt inherited their fighting spirit from their mom, Jill, who is battling pancreatic cancer.

Following aggressive therapy, she maintains a cheerful, positive outlook and is back at the races, cheering on her fleet twins.

The gritty competitors rarely disappoint.

"It usually takes the Wards 30 to 45 minutes after a race to regain their composure -- it's like they're out for the count," Reutinger said. "Most athletes have a self preservation, defense mechanism that keeps them from pushing to the limit. It's like the Wards don't have that."