Thole twins headed for success in gymnastics, wrestling

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Stillwater’s new head wrestling coach was just what they needed to succeed. “Our new coach knew how to push us physically and mentally, which helped us make our way to state,” Kevin said.

A lot of people think that being able to play a sport well comes down to genetics, but in this case it isn’t just Kevin or Lauren’s own genetic. The Thole siblings are both headed for success.

Kevin is a key player on the wrestling team and was a premier asset at their state tournament. On the flip side, Lauren is in largely the same spot as Kevin for the Gymnastics team. As both teams are set up for success, one can only ask if the Thole duo are any key to it all.

“He’s kind of a quiet guy,” Head Coach Rich Keller said. “Well that’s kind of a lie because he can get pretty loud. What I meant is that he isn’t one to talk a whole lot. He’s also one of the hardest workers I know on the team. Most of his teammates know that when they’re paired with Kevin, they’ll be in for a tough workout.”

It is also apparent that Kevin is a central part of the social side of the team. “He’s usually the one who is hosting all the gatherings and after-practice parties with the team and all that. He’s very likeable, and he talks to his fellow wrestlers very respectfully and kindly all the time. One of the funniest and wittiest kids I’ve met, too!” Keller said.

It’s understandable that not only do athletics run in the family for Kevin and Lauren, but personality and work ethic does as well. Her friends and teammates say a lot of the same things about Lauren that Rich talks about Kevin.

It is not quite so clear to many people from an outside perspective, but there is also a type of sibling rivalry that pushes the athletic duo further and further.

“We always brag to each other and rub it in the other’s face whenever we do really well at one of our events or get a high ranking,” Kevin said. “We always tease each other by saying things like how our sport is better than theirs or how we have a higher rank in our sport.”

The two would not ever think of trying to hurt one another, however. “Even though we want to beat each other out competitively, we help each other out and get better,” Lauren said.

“We come to the other’s meets when we’re able to do that. We try to keep the competition between us two healthy and alive, so we naturally try to support each other,” said Kevin. They are brother and sister, after all. 

Behind the scenes, not everything is picture perfect. Because Kevin and Lauren both play different sports, the scheduling for both creates conflict. “It doesn’t often happen at home, but between driving and carpooling for the two of us, it can make things really tough,” Lauren said. “We even get into fights between us two every now and then.”

Past the occasional fighting, the two are both headed for success in life and both are looking towards a promising future.