Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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as long as I can remember." Along with hard work, the twins have a connection that also makes them great teammates. "We count on and trust each other," Kelly said. "We don't need to communicate verbally very much." Tommy And Sarah Devita Though they graduated from high school in New Jersey, being at UVa is a lot like home for Cavalier track athletes Tommy and Sarah Devita. The Devita family actually lived in northern Albemarle County not far from the Virginia campus for six years before moving to New Jersey, and the siblings were excited to have the opportunity to move back to the Charlottesville area. Another thing that makes it feel like home: They still live across the hall from each other. "We live in the same apartment building," Sarah said. "We've gotten even closer being here together." Tommy, a third-year high jumper who finished 10th at the ACC Championships last year, said his relationship with Sarah, a second-year hurdler, has improved a lot thanks to the sport. "It's one of those scenarios where we really didn't like each other as kids," Tommy said. "But in high school we got closer through track. For her to come to UVa was awesome, and now we live right across the hall from each other and hang out all the time. Traveling to all the meets together, we spend a lot more time together now and we have almost all the same friends now." Julen And Ian Uriguen Coming to UVa from Guatemala City, Guatemala, the Uriguen brothers had a longer journey to the Virginia men's tennis program than the Shane brothers, but the experience has been similar. "It's been amazing," said Julen, a fourth-year. "Since Ian was able to join the team it's been very productive, not only for the team but for us as brothers. We've been competitive since we've been smaller, but fortunately we've been in different categories so we haven't had that many matches against each other. "We've had a good amount of success; a little bit of sibling rivalry is good for both of us." Like some others, the Uriguens believe being at UVa together has brought them even closer. "It's been a great experience," Ian said. "I feel like being the younger sibling I've learned a lot from him, and sharing success with him has been great for our relationship." Having each other also makes attending college in a foreign country quite a bit easier. "Since we are from Guatemala, it gives us more of a sense of still being at home in some way," Julen said. Matt And Mark Cockerton With Matt and Mark now enjoying great success at Virginia, the Cockertons rank high among the all-time great lacrosse families. Playing in the ACC has the Canadians following in the footsteps of their father Stan, who graduated from North Carolina State in 1980 as the all-time leading goal scorer in college lacrosse. Even a diehard Wolfpacker can enjoy seeing his boys succeed at UVa. "I feel like since NC State doesn't have a program anymore it's not as bad for him," Mark said with a chuckle. "But if it's a basketball game or a football game, I bet you he's secretly rooting for the Wolfpack, but with lacrosse he's definitely a UVa fan." Growing up in a family of prolific goal scorers created a competitive environment, but a supportive one where Matt and Mark share the same goal of bringing another NCAA title to UVa. "We are competitive, but we are still supportive of each other," Matt said. "If he scores, I'm not like, 'What, now I have to get a goal.' If he scores, I'm like, 'Good job Mark,' and pat him on the back." ◆