It’s often said that twins have an inseparable bond not many others can relate to. But rarely do twin athletes who play at a high level, get to play together.
Yet, Lauren and Brooke Smith are enjoying the luxury of playing on the same squad and the benefits are evident on and off the field.
“I think that we know each other so well on the field,” said Lauren. “It kind of comes naturally to be able to find her [Brooke], and to know where she is going to run.”
Lauren and Brooke are the first set of twins to ever play on the Florida Gator soccer team. Lauren plays defender and is studying political science; Brooke plays midfielder and is studying fitness and wellness. Playing together has allowed the Smiths to help each other reach their goals.
“When she [Brooke] is down obviously I know the things that would pick her up,” said Lauren. “After a bad practice, [I can] just pull her to the side, and I can talk to her and tell her ‘you know you need to get the next ball.’ Just knowing the right things to say.”
Lauren and Brooke were raised in Eustis, Florida, a city with the population just under 20,000 according to the Census Bureau. Both of them attended Eustis High School, where they helped take the soccer team as far as the Florida High School Association 3A Championship semifinal round.
Growing up, the Smiths always tried to one up each other.
“We’re basically competitive in everything.” said Lauren. “We used to do sprints when we were growing up at night, just to see who was faster. We used to be competitive in classes just to see who can get better grades on tests if we were in the same class. Basically, in everything and anything we did it was a competition.”
The pair is essentially two of a kind on the surface. Both excel academically as members of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll, they were on the Olympic Development Program, and even continue to train on and off the field together. Although, Lauren does note that Brooke is a little more “outgoing.”
The twins started playing soccer at the age of five, and have played on every team together since.The Smiths are living out one of their childhood dreams by playing on the field together for the Gators.
“Growing up I’ve always been a Gator fan, my dad went to school here.” said Brooke. “It was a dream to come here when I was little, so actually being here is awesome.
Both Lauren and Brooke haven’t decided what they want to do after they finish playing soccer, and attending the University of Florida. However, the Smiths do share one goal in mind.
“Hopefully by the end of the year the ultimate goal is to win a National Championship,” said Brooke.