TACOMA, Wash. — Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your sibling on the same sports team as you? Well Sidney Chan-Orcutt and Makenzie Chan-Orcutt, twin sisters on the Pacific Lutheran University women's swimming team, can tell you all about it.

When deciding their plans after high school, Oregon City, Oregon natives Sidney and Makenzie knew that they wanted to go to the same college.

"We're both biology majors and we knew the program here was really good. We also both really wanted to swim, so why not just go to the same school and make it convenient for [our] parents when we compete and stuff like that," said Makenzie.

Some people may say that having your sibling on the same team as you would be difficult, but the Chan-Orcutt sisters say otherwise.

"I think it's really fun. I feel like it brings different energy, and it's always like having a best friend there with me who I can talk to," commented Makenzie.

"I love it. It's like my backup support system that she's always there. She supports all my goals and always hears me out when I have frustrations with practice and stuff like that. And she's always understanding and I'm really thankful for that," replied Sidney.

Over their time at PLU, Sidney and Makenzie have both felt like they have found their place here academically.

"[An achievement for me academically] is just finding a place I fit in here in the biology department. My first year I felt not the most comfortable and welcome, but I feel like over time, I've kind of found my place here. And that's kind of an accomplishment for me," explained Sidney.

"I found professors that I love talking to and feel close to which I'm glad that I have," added Makenzie.

Along with their academic accomplishments, the Chan-Orcutt's have accomplished a lot in the pool for the Lutes. Sidney was a part of the winning 200 yard and the 400 yard freestyle relay teams at the 2022 Northwest Conference Championships. Makenzie earned two second team all conference honors for her 100 yard and 200 yard breaststroke races at the 2022 NWC Championships. Over the last four years the Chan-Orcutt's have helped the Lutes win 27 of their 30 dual meets, including a 25-2 record against NWC dual meet opponents. 

While the two plan on going their separate ways to graduate school after finishing up at PLU, they've loved being on the same team the past four years. The sisters compete one final time at home together on Saturday as the Lutes host crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound at 1 p.m. at the PLU Pool.