A Quiz for Some Swimming Siblings

In today’s Crimson, we're bringing you an in-depth look at two pairs of siblings–Petra B. Janney ’14 and Niall M. Janney ’12, and Alexandra M. Stanton ’14 and Michael J. Stanton ’13–who have more in common than just genetics. Not only are both pairs enrolled in the College, but they also compete together on the Harvard swimming and diving team.

After growing up together and now seeing each other at practices nearly every day, how much do these siblings really know about one another? We asked the athletic kin a series of questions, then challenged them to guess their sibling’s responses.

Most irritating habit?

Petra: Being attached to my Blackberry

Niall’s guess: Watching god-awful TV shows on TLC, MTV, VH1, etc., to the point that I have to wrench the remote away so I don’t tear out my eyes!

Niall: I am very fidgety and spit a lot.

Petra’s guess: Fidgeting with everything

Alex: Biting my cheek

Michael’s guess: Sucking her thumb

Michael: Biting my nails

Alex’s guess: Flicking me

Favorite movie?

Petra: Catch Me if You Can

Niall’s guess: Dodgeball

Niall: Good Will Hunting

Petra’s guess: Taken

Alex: Dazed and Confused and The Breakfast Club

Michael’s guess: Dazed and Confused

Michael: Zoolander

Alex’s guess: Zoolander

Pet peeve?

Petra: Lip smacking while eating

Niall’s guess: Me

Niall: Waiting in line

Petra’s guess: When silverware squeaks against a plate

Alex: People chewing

Michael’s guess: People chewing too loudly

Michael: Misuse of “good” vs. “well”

Alex’s guess: Bad grammar

Favorite holiday?

Petra: Christmas

Niall’s guess: Christmas

Niall: Thanksgiving

Petra’s guess: Christmas

Alex: Christmas maybe—anything that’s not my birthday

Michael’s guess: Anything but her birthday

Michael: Thanksgiving

Alex’s guess: Thanksgiving

Favorite home-cooked meal?

Alex: Anything my grandma cooks

Michael’s guess: Empanadas

Michael: Grandma’s “Yoyi’s Chicken Salad”

Alex’s guess: Anything my grandma cooks

Petra: My mom’s leek pasta casserole

Niall’s guess: Leek pasta

Niall: Annie’s Macaroni & Cheese with sausage

Petra’s guess: Steak

Photo by Randi B. Michel/The Harvard Crimson