Thank you to Leann, Renee and their parents for their time and answers. If you have a Senior Showcase nomination, please click this link to fill out the form and we will be in touch with you shortly!
It’s not uncommon in Southeast Kansas for family members to play high school varsity sports together. Perhaps brothers and sisters on track and field team, cousins on a basketball team, but what about twins competing at the same event?
Independence High School seniors Leann and Renee not just stand-out in the fact that they are twins, but that they both compete at the varsity level in Cross Country.
Leann and Renee started running distance track in the 7th grade when they occasionally competed in events such as the medley relay, in which Renee ran the 400m and Leann the 200m. In their 8th grade year, Renee ran the 3200m and the 400 m the entire season. Leann ran the 1600m and the 800m. They also began doing a few 5k road races including the Neewollah 5K.
In addition to running, Leann and Renee played tennis in middle school. They played on the court every summer from about 1st grade. However, due to scheduling conflicts, the Trout sisters would have to make the choice: fun of tennis or love of running?
Former Independence High School tennis coach Matt Ysusi wrote the twins insisting that if their hearts were in cross country by the time they reached high school to go with their passion.
They ended up going out for cross country but playing tennis during the next summer.
Through the last 4 years, Renee and Leann have caught the eye of cross country coaches and competitors in the SEK-Sports.com coverage area. We appreciate them for taking time with us to showcase their accomplishments as well as their future plans:
Renee Trout:
SEK-Sports.com: It’s your final year of high school. What are your favorite memories
during that time and what are your expectations for your senior year?
Rene Trout: My favorite memories are playing throwton after cross country meets, trips
home from scholars bowl competitions, and team runs. I expect to get good
grades in my AP classes, score well on AP tests, and get a PR in a race.
SEK-Sports.com: What are some of your interests and hobbies away from school?
RT: I like running, drama, church, watching movies, earning scholarships, and
doing community service.
SEK-Sports.com: Who is your favorite athlete? Favorite sports team? Favorite music
group/singer?
RT: I like to attend Royals baseball games. My favorite song is “We Didn’t
Start the Fire” by Billy Joel
SEK-Sports.com: Who are the people that you look up too (role models)?
RT: My role model is Callie Logue.
SEK-Sports.com: What are your plans after graduating?
RT: My plans after graduating are to attend college and major in biology.
SEK-Sports.com: Finally, what is a fun fact about you that people may, or may not know?
RT: In the 7th grade, my sister and I got up at 4:30 every morning to run 3
miles to prepare for track.
Leann Trout
SEK-Sports.com: It’s your final year of high school. What are your favorite memories
during that time and what are your expectations for your senior year?
LT: I loved my lunch table my junior year and the antics we got up to. Senior
year I plan to finish my four years strong with good grades and lots of
community service hours.
SEK-Sports.com: What are some of your interests and hobbies away from school?
LT: I enjoy reading, writing, and art.
SEK-Sports.com: Who is your favorite athlete? Favorite sports team? Favorite music
group/singer?
LT: I like to go watch the KC Royals. As for music I enjoy anything 80’s.
SEK-Sports.com: Who are the people that you look up too (role models)?
LT: My role models are my teachers, coaches, and mentors.
SEK-Sports.com: What are your plans after graduating?
LT: I want to pursue a medical lab technician or a biology inspired career.
SEK-Sports.com: Finally, what is a fun fact about you that people may, or may not know?
LT: I know (from memory) 55+ digits of pi.
Thank you to Leann, Renee and their parents for their time and answers. If you have a Senior Showcase nomination, please click this link to fill out the form and we will be in touch with you shortly!