Two of a kind

It’s rare for Hannah and Carly Cullen to spend time apart. The 17-year-old twins have many of the same classes together at Wantagh High School, and play sports together. The next four years won’t be much different.

The Cullens have both committed to Winthrop University, where they will play lacrosse. The girls recently signed their letters of intent during a signing ceremony at the high school for the 10 Wantagh athletes who will play at the collegiate level next year.

“We knew we wanted to play lacrosse, and we knew we wanted to play together,” said Carly, who is 23 minutes older than her sister.

Winthrop University is just outside Rock Hill, S.C. The school appealed to both Cullens, and after learning about it online, they visited it with their parents. The girls said they like the Southern charm of the campus and are looking forward to living at a slower pace than they do in New York.

Hannah and Carly started playing lacrosse for the Police Activities League when they were in third grade. They were both selected to Wantagh’s varsity squad as ninth-graders, although they weren’t regular starters until their junior year. “We had to work our way up,” Hannah said, adding that a lot of talented lacrosse players have passed through Wantagh High in recent years.

The girls, who prefer to play midfield, started on defense last year. Athletic Director Jennifer Keane said that is indicative of their team-first mentality — they will do whatever they are asked to win games. “They always strive to better themselves, to better their team,” she said.

Both said they like lacrosse because it is a very competitive sport. They have been playing together for so long that each can anticipate what the other is going to do. “I always know where Hannah’s going to be on the field, what moves she’s going to make,” Carly said.

Hannah added that the two often head to the Wantagh High field after school hours to hone their skills, and that it’s nice to always have someone to practice with.

The girls have also been on the varsity track team together since ninth grade, and they have played varsity soccer side by side since their sophomore year. There was one time they did not compete in a sport together — seventh grade, when Hannah made the volleyball team and Carly didn’t. “It was the first time we were ever separated,” Hannah said. “I didn’t know how to react.”

“I was proud of her,” Carly added, “but I still wish that I’d made it.” It only motivated her to work harder, and the two were united on the volleyball court in eighth grade.

In addition to sharing an interest in sports, the twins are co-captains of the Phys. Ed. Leadership Club this year, and members of Future Business Leaders of America. They both were also in the Key Club and Spanish Club. They are graduates of Forest Lake Elementary School, and have a younger sister, Abigail, who’s a sophomore at Wantagh High.

While Hannah and Carly have a lot of the same friends and interests, their personalities do vary. Carly described herself as the more “scheduled” twin who likes to be on time, while Hannah said she likes to “go with the flow.”

Carly wants a little more space, and likes to go for a run by herself, while Hannah says she loves to be around her sister all the time.

The two shared a room for most of their childhood, but have had their own rooms for several years since their parents expanded the house. While they are excited about going to college together, they don’t want to room together. They want the opportunity to meet new people.

Both plan to major in business, which means they will probably have some classes together. Carly wants to work for a big company that specializes in fitness, while Hannah is thinking about focusing on marketing or accounting.

Their first year at Winthrop will include a trip to Japan, where they will take part in a lacrosse tournament and teach children how to play the game. They noted that Winthrop’s lacrosse program is only in its third year, so the seniors they will play beside next year will be some of the original members of the team.

They aren’t sure how lacrosse may fit into their post-collegiate futures, but Hannah hopes her children will play someday.

The girls say their high school careers have prepared them for the next step. “Wantagh is a great town for athletics,” Carly said. “We’re a very competitive school. We go to each other’s games and support each other.”

Keane said that the Cullen twins are just two examples of the many talented athletes in Wantagh. She commended their hard work, dedication and the support they have for each other.