Just as when they were Muldrow Public Schools students, twin sisters Kennady and Katelynn Moore pretty much have been inseparable. The same has held true in college at Carl Albert State College in Poteau.

Both twins will be at this Saturday’s NJCAA National Meet in Richmond, Va. However, in different capacities.

Kennady Moore will be one of the Lady Vikings and Vikings who will get to actually compete in the event.

“It was just a surreal experience only because during high school, we only had two years of cross country experience,” Kennady Moore said. “This is my third year (of running cross country), and I’m going to nationals. It’s actually insane to me.”

On the other hand, Katelynn Moore has not been able to run this fall due to being red-shirted because of her torn ACL she suffered in the last basketball playoff game for the Lady Bulldogs in the Class 4A Area Tournament consolation quarterfinals against Madill — a 42-34 win for the Wildcats. Thus, it’s been hard for the former Lady Bulldog to have to be a spectator instead of a runner this fall.

“It’s very frustrating because I wanted to run so bad (for the Lady Vikings),” Katelynn Moore said. “I like running a lot. Just watching from the sidelines is really different than being out there running. On a scale of 10, it’s 10 out of 10 frustrating.”

So, a relative is making sure Katelynn Moore is there to cheer on her twin sister and fellow Lady Vikings and Vikings.

“My grandma is flying me out, so I can go with them,” Katelynn Moore said. “I’m getting to go to nationals after all. I’m excited for it.”

Through it all, Katelynn Moore said she is staying in shape.

“I work out every week,” Katelynn Moore said. “I go to physical therapy. I just started going once every two weeks now — I got it lessened out. I’ve started running in the mornings with one of my friends. I can’t run as far as what they (the Lady Vikings runners) are having to run now. So, I run every morning, and I walk.”

Katelynn Moore said it feels good to be running once again.

“I like it a lot,” Katelynn Moore said. “It makes me feel excited for next year being able to run. It just gets me excited.”

Kennady also does her part to make sure her twin sister stays active.

“I make her go with me everywhere, like to practices,” Kennady said. “If she’s still in bed before I’m about to get out, I wake her up — and I’m like, ‘We’re going. You’re doing something.’ So, I make sure she stays in shape for next year. It’s like insane to me. I always had the brains, and she has the speed. Now, I’ve got the speed as well. Like in high school, she was the runner. It’s no lie she was better than me. If she can get back to where she was, she’ll help us out a lot.”

Kennady said running cross country in college has been different than her two years running in high school meets for the Lady Bulldogs.

“I’m not going to lie — it definitely isn’t for the week,” Kennady Moore said. “I’ve had to learn how to balance my social life, academic life and my athletic life all into one (life). It does make it easier because I don’t have classes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (like in high school). Since I am able to balance it all out, it’s so much fun to me. I love it here.”

There was a bit of a transitioning period for the twins as they got used to college life.

“It definitely has been hard just because like my parents can’t tell me to go to school,” Kennady Moore said. “I definitely have the temptation to leave classes. If you just get your work done, then you’re good here.”

“Like she said, skipping class is tempting — our parents aren’t making us go — but it (going to classes) is something we have to do,” Katelynn Moore said. “It’s not bad at all.”

The twins are liking going to CASC due to its proximity to Muldrow.

“We live like an hour away from home,” Katelynn Moore said. “We go home all the time. (The transition) has been really easy.”

Both are enjoying the college life.

“I love it here,” Kennady Moore said.

“It’s been amazing,” Katelynn Moore said. “I love college.”

Although the twins cannot share running the meets this fall, they still support one another.

“She brings a backpack to every meet with like snacks, water and Ibuprofen,” Kennady Moore said about Katelynn. “She packs my shoes and my clothes for me — everything I need. She’s like my own personal manager.”

“I support from the sideline,” Katelynn Moore said about Kennady. “I make sure I go to every meet of hers.”