When the Martinson sisters started swimming together, they expected the experience to tear them apart, but found it fun and encouraging. Junior Will Tullbane and sophomore Nick Tullbane, as well as senior Madison Yelle and freshman Haley Yelle, also share the pleasure of having a sibling on the team. The sets of siblings not only practice together, they compete together and against each other.
“I thought [my sister and I] were going to end up hating each other,” Kendall said, “but I think it’s actually brought us closer.”
They trained together during the summer at the Mansfield Aquatic Center, but have never raced against each other in a competition. One of the first meets for Kaylin and Kendall, Dragon Hunt, took place on Oct. 19 at the Carroll Independent School District Aquatic Center. At the meet, winners of individual events were awarded rubber chickens.
“Competing at Dragon Hunt was more fun than usual because of the prize,” Kendall said. “We all wanted to win for fun reasons and not stressful ones.”
The Martinson sisters typically swim against each other in the 200 meter individual medley, an event in which the swimmer swims every stroke in the race. Kendall swam a 2:31.82 minute race, while Kaylin swam a 2:43.98 minute race in the event. Will and Nick Tullbane only swim relays together: the 400 free relay and the 200 medley. The Tullbane brothers don’t race against each other in meets, but compete for the best times between each other in every race they both compete in.
“It makes me try harder because I know he’s trying to get my records,” Will said. “I’m trying to keep him off my tail.”
In addition to being brothers on the swim team, their father Tony Tullbane serves as the head coach.
“He keeps all the swimming at the pool,” Will said. “He doesn’t bring work home with him. He didn’t even pressure us into swimming.”
For Nick swimming is also last resort. He had nothing else to turn to.
“I got into swimming because I wasn’t good at any other sports,” Nick said. “I have no hand eye coordination; I’ve actually struck out at tee ball and I really don’t know how.”
The Tullbane family is made up of four siblings. Ever since Coach Tullbane started coaching, his sons have been lead to the sport. The Tullbane family consists of four brothers that all swim.
“[Swimming] is something that the older sibling enjoys, so therefore they lead the other one to it,” head swimming coach Tony Tullbane said. “This makes it a more enjoyable experience for both of them.”
