Leyden juniors Estefania Ramirez and Misia Szelazek will never be mistaken for identical twin sisters.
At 5-feet tall, Ramirez is one of the Eagles’ shortest runners, while Szelazek is one of the team’s tallest at 5-10.
Regardless, the two girls have formed a sisterly bond built in running that dates back to middle school.
“We met in gym class in sixth grade,” Szelazek said. “We came from different elementary schools and we were used to being the top girl, so we started competing. Seventh grade was the first year we had cross country, so we both started running together.”
The two were split up in high school, with Ramirez attending West Leyden and Szelazek going to East Leyden, but they continued to build their connection through running and now they feel like they’re related.
“She’s my littler sister and I love that she’s so cute and small,” Szelazek said.
“I love having Misia around and I treat her like my big sister,” Ramirez said. “I really like our friendship.”
That has benefited both girls on the track, where their training and events overlap.
Szelazek has a bit more top-end speed and competes in the 400-meter dash and the 800; Ramirez, who is better at distances, races in the 800 and 1,600.
“We definitely support each other,” Szelazek said. “There’s tension in the 800, but it’s all friendly competition. One week I’ll do better and the next week she’ll do better. We’re always motivating each other because we want to beat each other. That’s how we get our best times.”
“I’m really glad I have Misia because I know I really need someone in practice,” Ramirez said. “If I’m by myself I don’t run fast, so I’m happy to have her there.”
The two got the opportunity to square off once again Friday at Leyden’s eight-team invite.
On this night, it was Ramirez who came out on top. She took second place in the 800 with a time of 2 minutes, 27.99 seconds, just ahead of Szelazek, who finished fifth in a time of 2:29.5.
Ramirez tucked herself behind Szelazek for much of the race before outkicking her in the final 100 meters.
“It’s kind of hard because every girl has a longer stride than me.” Ramirez said. “My stride is long for my size, but still for every two steps they take, I take five. Sometimes I have a problem outkicking her, but it worked (Friday).”
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Ramirez, who also took second in the 1,600 (5:41.97), hopes to keep dropping time and wants to run 2:23 in the 800, while Szelazek is aiming for 2:25.
“They keep each other disciplined,” Leyden head coach Brent Dempsey said. “They compete against each other in practice and they push each other in meets. They keep getting better and I think the best things are still to come from them.”
Notes
*Leyden finished in sixth place with 44 points. Other top performances for the Eagles came from freshman Esther Aldana in long jump (2nd, 16-10) and Leslie Palacios in the 300 hurdles (3rd, 50.72).
Valentin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.