Athlete of the Week: Gavin and Dawson Blaine, Kickapoo Cross Country

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - There’s a curly-headed duo leading the way for Kickapoo cross country.

The identical Blaine twins: seniors Gavin and Dawson, are the one-two punch for the Chiefs.

The pair has been running together since their elementary school days.

“The big thing is we’re both super competitive with each other,” Dawson said. “It’s always like competing with each other, pushing with each other to drive.”

Both Gavin and Dawson are having standout seasons thus far. Gavin ran a personal best of 15:11 at the Camdenton Laker Invitational, slotting him for the 7th fastest time in the state this year.

He humbly credits his team and summer training for his success on the course.

“I’m blessed to have a great team around me, guys pushing me every day,” Gavin said. “We had a fantastic summer offseason, just getting to push one another, working hard, and making memories.”

Dawson is on the tail of his slightly younger twin, also running a personal best at Camdenton with a 15:32, good for top 30 in the state.

Kickapoo head coach Jeremy Goddard wishes all his best runners came in pairs.

“If you could clone all my other great runners that would certainly help our team’s standard a little bit,” Goddard said. “Everywhere we go, anyone that meets them says that they’re the best kids they’ve met. But great kids, great leaders, care about others.”

Both Blaine’s hope to carry on the winning tradition at Kickapoo, and pass down the team culture to the younger runners.

“Not only for the work that you’ve put in, but then you’re seeing them do that work, you’re seeing them get excited for the sport that we love so much,” Gavin said.

The Chiefs are seeking their first top four finish in four years, and they’ve got the right (identical) DNA for the job.

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