Most of y’all most likely don’t know — actually, none of you may be aware — but I am a twin. An identical twin, in fact.
So, it warmed my heart yesterday when I saw BYU had signed a pair of twins to their 2021 recruiting class. Elia and Enoka Migao, 17-year-olds from Chaparral High School in Temecula, Calif., will be joining the Cougars soon, but may serve a mission after one year at BYU.
But while watching BYU Sports Nation Wednesday morning, co-hosts Jarom Jordan and Jason Shepard brought up a good point that I think many people don’t consider when they think of twins — Elia and Enoka weren’t a package deal. According to the co-hosts, the BYU staff recruited each brother individually.
My first thought was “good.” As a twin, people tend to lump us together — give us one gift to share on birthdays and holidays or call us cuatas (which is the Spanish word for fraternal twins, so is incorrect when referring to my twin and I).
When we started our college application process, many assumed we’d be applying to the same schools. We didn’t.
Well, actually, I did apply to one of the same schools as her, but she quickly shut me down. Claudia was so tired of always being forced into “twin things” that she wanted to break off and do her own thing. It was understandable.
So, it was great to hear that BYU treated them as individuals and that Elia and Enoka came to the decision separately, but together, to both come to BYU. After all, they’re pretty different.
Elia is part of the offensive line, while Enoka is on the defensive line. Enoka is an inch taller (6-5), but Elia is 80 pounds bigger at (320).
I’m excited to see how they progress at BYU.
“Those guys are going to have a lot of fun going against each other in practice,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “I think they’re going to bring some toughness. They’re joining a group of tough guys, but I think they’re going to fit just fine and really looking forward to the physical presence that they can have on the line of scrimmage.”
More thoughts
• Sorry for being MIA last week. It’s still unclear whether it was a new infection or residual from the last time I tested positive, but I had a second wave of COVID-related sickness that left me bedridden. If any of y’all have tested positive and are long haulers (which is what I’m starting to believe I am), please let me know what your experience has been like. This has been a crazy experience for me, but we’re in this together.
• Because I was sick, I didn’t cover any of BYU’s games over the weekend. But, after taking a much needed, long nap, I caught the second half of the men’s basketball game against in-state rival Utah. At first, I was worried the Cougars may play into a repeat of last year’s game, but they righted their ship and went on to beat the Utes. After the tough loss to USC and heartbreaking loss to Boise State, it was good to see the continued progress the BYU squad is making through the preseason.
Other voices
• UCF QB Dillon Gabriel has long seen BYU as a rival, Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel wrote.
• Casey Lundquist from Sports Illustrated broke down three things to know about the Boca Raton Bowl.
• The Daily Universe did a round-up of Cougars in the pros, which included a look at Yoeli Childs first NBA points.
Normita’s Spanish Lesson of the Week
agradecido(a)
grateful
Example: Aunque ha sido un año dificultoso, estoy tan agradecida por el apoyo que he recibido de toda la gente en mi vida.
Translation: Even though it’s been a difficult year, I’m super grateful for all the support I’ve received from all the people in my life.