All within the Household: Three Units of Siblings Are Teaming Up for AU Athletics

Choosing a university athletics program is usually deeply private, however for seven student-athletes at American University, the choice grew to become a household affair. 

Across area hockey, swimming, and wrestling, three units of siblings have discovered themselves carrying the identical colours on campus—balancing educational ambition, athletic grit, and a particular, built-in help system as they compete collectively for the Eagles.

Ashley Huddleston and Sydney Huddleston: Field Hockey

Ashley Huddleston, CAS/BS ’27, had simply begun her area hockey profession at AU when her youthful sister, Sydney, Kogod/BSBA ’29, FaceTimed her from Virginia Beach. 

“Ash, there’s something I want to tell you,” stated Sydney, then a highschool junior. “I think we’re gonna go to college together.” 

“Oh, my God!” Ashley exclaimed from Bender Library. 

Ashley had prevented nudging her sister’s determination. But when Sydney selected to affix AU’s 16-time Patriot League Championship program and arrived on campus final fall, that meant AU felt much more like house. 

“All of a sudden, I could turn around and [tease] my little sister at practice or kick the stick out of her hand,” Ashley stated, smiling. “We’ve played together for so long, and she knows me like nobody else [does].” 

The sisters—who will play their remaining house opener collectively towards Richmond on Friday—steadiness contrasting personalities. Ashley is a methodical biology main making ready for medical college, whereas Sydney is an easygoing enterprise main on the pre-law observe.

Daily morning practices bridge their routines. Beyond the turf, having one another shut by has meant spontaneous espresso drop-offs throughout MCAT prep, shared Target runs, and exploring DC collectively. 

“It’s the little moments I look forward to most—the ones you don’t plan for—when we are on a phone call with one of our parents and then the other [sister] comes and joins,” Sydney stated. “I’m also excited to take the field with her. . . for one more season.” 

Gavin Shifflett and Ella Shifflett: Swimming 

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, natives Ella Shifflett, SIS/BA ’27, and Gavin Shifflett, CAS/BS ’29, have shared lanes since elementary college. 

“We’ve always been there for each other,” Ella stated. “It’s amazing to hear Gavin on the side cheering for me or counting for me in longer races.”

Ella fell in love with AU throughout her official go to, drawn to the steadiness of rigorous teachers, the teaching employees, and DC’s skilled alternatives. Once she dedicated, AU moved towards the highest of Gavin’s record.

“The kicker [for me] was [knowing] my sister was there,” he stated. “When I committed, I knew I would have two years with [her]. I’m going to take advantage of [them].”

Throughout their meets—which kick off in September—the siblings stay one another’s main help system, recurrently assembly on the fringe of the pool after each race.

Cameron Milheim, Kaden Milheim, and Reagan Milheim: Wrestling

If the beginning lineup aligns this winter, opponents might face a formidable gauntlet of three consecutive Milheim brothers in duals towards AU: Cameron (149 lbs.), Reagan (157 lbs.), and Kaden (165 lbs.).

This fall, true freshman Reagan Milheim, Kogod/BS ’30, joined older brothers Cameron, Kogod/BS ’29, and Kaden, Kogod/BS ’27, on the Meltzer Center mat. While three brothers on the identical collegiate roster is uncommon, the chance this might occur was at all times at the back of their minds.

“I feel like we all wanted this to work out,” stated Cameron, who lives with Kaden and three different teammates in Tenleytown.

Their shared path started in Muncy, Pennsylvania, the place Kaden began wrestling at age 7, and his youthful brothers shortly adopted swimsuit. Living-room brawls and trampoline showdowns quickly become dominant highschool careers. Dubbed the “Milheim Steamroller,” the trio made historical past in 2023 by main Warrior Run High School to its first state match look.

Head coach Jason Borrelli‘s employees started recruiting Kaden after he positioned third on the PIAA state match as a junior. Cameron and Reagan sat on the dinner desk to listen to the AU recruiting pitch, which made Kaden’s eventual dedication a simple alternative. After he dedicated, it grew to become an open secret that the Eagle coaches can be serious about his brothers, too, after they have been sufficiently old. 

Insight from his older brother led Cameron to decide to 4 years in DC earlier than his junior season. Reagan—a four-time state medalist who completed with a 195–10 highschool file and arrived at AU as FloWrestling’s No. 27 recruit within the nation—initially hesitated to observe his brothers.

“At first, I thought there was no way I was going there,” Reagan admitted. “But after visiting and really thinking about it, I realized how cool it would be to wrestle with my brothers.”

Now competing in adjoining weight lessons, the trio pushes one another every day within the wrestling room with bragging rights on the road. “We’re all competitive,” Cameron stated. “When we wrestle each other, it pushes us a little extra because it’s family.”