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Sister. The word “sister” can mean several different things. Your best friend, worst enemy, distant, annoying, funny, odd. The McCullough sisters, Brianna and Jordan, have two words to describe their relationship: best friends.

The girls spend their early winter mornings bonding in the frigid waters they call home, the Monarch swimming pool. Before most high school kids wake up for school, the McCulloughs and the rest of the PLHS swim team are already out of the pool and done with a workout.

“They are two of the hardest working girls on the team. No matter how hard a set is, they push themselves to the best of their ability,” senior swim teammate Alli

Harwood said.The girls’ hard working

personalities were instilled in them many years ago. Junior Brianna has been swimming for eleven years.

“When I was younger I did soccer and swimming, and I liked swimming better, so I stuck with it,” Brianna said.

Sticking with swimming was a smart choice for Brianna. Last year she finished sixth in the state in the 200 free and fourth in the 100 free.

“Hopefully, I will place higher (this year) and better my times and our relays will do well,” Brianna said.

Her younger sister, sophomore Jordan McCullough, had a stellar performance as a freshman in the state meet also. She finished fourth in the 500 and ninth in the 200 free.

Do you see the trend? Both sisters compete in the 200 free. But do not fear, competition will not ruin this friendship.

“In the pool, we push each other and want each other to do the best we can do,” Jordan said. “At

home we are close and talk a lot.” Harwood can see the

obvious friendship the sisters have and their competitive drive.

“They push each other constantly because I think it’s a natural thing, that you always want to do a little better than your sibling, but they don’t compete in a bad way,” Harwood said.

For the most part, Brianna swims sprints and middle distances, while Jordan tackles long distance. The girls swim the 200 and 400 free relays together and are constantly encouraging each other.

“If I am farther behind her in a set, she will tell me to stay up with her,” Jordan said. In the off season, the girls swim at Greater Omaha Aquatics League. Swimming might be their competitive sport, but the girls also dance together. “Dance is just something we do for fun,” Jordan said.

The girls have been dancing

The McCullough sisters make a splash

“In addition to wanting themselves to succeed, they want the team in general to do well. It’s nice having someone always cheering for you.”Alli HArwood Senior

Jordan McCullough along with her sister Brianna swim with high hopes this season, pushing each other to become two of the top swimmers in the state. emmA neil SportS editor

Brianna’s actual: Spaghetti

Brianna’s actual: 100 free or 100 back Jordan’s guess: 100 or 200 free

Favorite food? Favorite race?

Jordan’s Actual: Vegetables

Brianna’s guess: DanceMoms

Least favorite food? Favorite TV show?

Jordan’s actual: The Fosters

Jordan’s guess: Spaghetti

Clean or messy room?

Jordan’s guess: Messy

Brianna’s actual: Messy

Favorite candy bar?

Brianna’s guess: Hershey

Jordan’s actual: Reeses Cups

Brianna

Jordan

Missed: 3

Missed: 0

since they were 5 and 6 years old. They dance at Pat Carlson’s Dance Studio.

“Just Dance” is an often occurrence in the McCullough household. Jordan said with a smile, “we joke around a lot.” Dancing may be a hobby,

Brianna and Jordan were interviewed separately and reveal random facts about themselves. They then tried to guess what their sister would answer when asked the same questions.

A SWIMMER’S MIND

but swimming will always be in the McCullough’s blood. “We are both really motivated; we are both more optimistic about each other than ourselves,” Brianna said. The perfect definition of a sister.

Brianna and Jordan McCullough both swim the 200 free. They have been swimming together since elementary school. Photos: Shelby Pickering

Worst habit?

Brianna’s guess: Biting her nails

Jordan’s actual: Saying “umm” a lot

Favorite vacation?Brianna’s actual: CaliforniaJordan’s guess: California

Brianna’s guess: Vegetables

Emma  Neil  Papillion-­‐La  Vista  High  School