arvard athletes often describe their teams as family. For some Crimson, this is actually true. Sharing the field, court, or water with a sibling is undoubtedly a special experience, but some athletes have a connection that goes even further. Harvard Athletics has multiple twins featured on its rosters, which proves to be a special advantage for them both as athletes and people.

Often described as an inseparable connection, the Crimson’s twins display a special dynamic that allows them to thrive not just in their sport, but at Harvard overall. Whether through inside jokes or a pep talk in the middle of a game, the familial relationship between these athletic duos has made their experience in Cambridge truly exceptional.

Football: Kyle and Owen Johnson

Both juniors on the football team, Kyle and Owen Johnson, known affectionately by their teammates as “The Twins,” have always been by each other’s side. Although the Bethlehem, Pa., natives play on different ends of the field — Kyle at running back and Owen at linebacker — their kinship is evident, especially when they share the gridiron.

“Even though I’m on offense, he’s on defense, and we have different positions, there is definitely a little bit of a difference to me,” Kyle said of sharing the field with his brother. “Usually, if [Owen is] in, I’m just a little bit more focused on him.”

This bond spurs the brothers to perform at their best, both athletically and academically.

“I feel like I play better. I feel more confident with him just going to school here, but also just being on the team,” Owen said.

“My brother knows me the best and vice versa. He knows how to calm me down. He knows what to say. He knows how to keep my head straight and not lose my mind because college athletics can be a lot,” the linebacker added.

The Johnsons, who were adopted from Haiti, credit the experience for strengthening their close relationship.

“We’ve been with each other since birth. We were adopted, so for the first nine months before we even met our family, it was just my brother and me,” Owen said.

Throughout all the ups and downs of their lives, including those on the field, the brothers have always had each other to lean on. Having spent only four days apart in their 22 years, the Johnsons described how fortunate they feel to have been recruited to the same college.

“I’m so grateful that we’re at the same school together,” said Owen. “I don’t know how we would’ve separated.”

Now, The Twins are “living the dream” at Harvard, an accomplishment that is all the more special because they get to do it together.

“Two kids from Haiti, when we were born, had absolutely no place anywhere near an Ivy League school, and then we’re now here and thriving,” Owen said.

Throughout their lives, the Johnsons have pushed themselves and each other to be the best version of themselves, an effort that has evidently paid off. The brothers are now looking forward to their senior year and to taking the field at Harvard Stadium for one final season.

“Just reflecting back on the past three years, I’m so grateful,” Owen said.

Sailing: Justin and Mitchell Callahan

Justin and Mitchell Callahan, seniors on Harvard’s national championship sailing team, have had a great run these past four years. As twins, they have been through every step of not only the Harvard journey, but also every other journey together. Their bond, from the moment they were born, has given them a solid foundation as both brothers and teammates.

“I’ve always believed, since we were 10 years old, that Justin is the best sailor in the world,” Mitchell said. “I just feel grateful to have him as a twin and always be on my team. I would not want to be on the opposing team against Justin Callahan. So I’ll be grateful for that. Not only throughout college, but throughout my life as well.”

“I mean, Mitchell and I are best friends, and we’re pretty inseparable,” Justin said. “There’s nothing more special than competing alongside your twin, and then going to school with them on top of that is an even bigger bonus. So I guess next year will feel pretty different when we’re not seeing each other seven days a week like we have been for the past 22 years of our lives.”

Both on and off the water, Justin and Mitchell help one another excel. With their “unspoken jokes” and their shared sense of humor, the two always find a way to uplift each other, no matter the situation.

“No matter if we come off the water, having one of the best races of our life or one of the worst, we have our twin brother right there, and to make us laugh, to comfort us, to push us towards the next race,” Mitchell said.

The Callahan brothers have thrived at Harvard and on the Charles River, as both brothers have recorded impressive performances during their time on the sailing team.

“I think we have had probably the most incredible experience that you can ask for at Harvard and on the Harvard sailing team. So far, we’ve won five national championships together since our freshman year, being All-Americans together, and having the success that we’ve had has been truly special,” Justin said.

The Callahans’ accomplishments on the water are especially cherished because they have practiced sailing together since they were seven years old.

“The fact that we got to do it all together was really special,” Justin reflected. “It’s been such a journey.”

– Staff writer Tiffany Oh can be reached at [email protected].