They arrived at school recently wearing almost the exact same outfit. Maybe another pair of teenage sisters, separated by just one year, would have started sniping at each other, especially when their friends began some good-natured ribbing.
But Lake Braddock senior Danielle Danner and younger sister, Ashley, a junior, shrugged off the miscommunication. Not much causes friction between the two self-described “best friends.”
In a sport where top performers often seek individual accolades and records for their club teams, swimming at the high school level provides a chance for some much-needed camaraderie. The Danner sisters take full advantage.
“We’ve just always been like that,” said Ashley Danner, 16, who won a Virginia Group AAA state title in the 100 breaststroke as a sophomore. “Danielle is just a year older so we have the same friends. We have the same interests. I love being on the same team with her.”
Each sister excels in a sport of her own. Ashley has built off her state championship win last winter. Last year at age 15 she finished 38th in the 100 breaststroke at a United States Olympic Qualifying event that included swimmers several years older. She also competes for Sea Devils Swimming, a Springfield, Va.-based club
Danielle Danner, 17, swam for the Sea Devils for several years before giving up club swimming last winter. She instead competes for Lake Braddock’s crew team in the spring and hopes to row in college. Danielle Danner isjust now returning to the pool after enduring a dislocated left shoulder last month while rowing.
“Crew is my focus, but I love both sports and I definitely didn’t want to give up swimming completely,” Danielle Danner said. “Getting the chance to be on a team with my sister is a perfect way to stay involved.”
Sister act
» The Danner sisters aren’t the only siblings plying their trade for the Bruins.
There are five pairs of sisters on the team, including Meg and Molly Emery, Jessica and Sara Hwang, Brittany and Lindsay Myrick and Sarah Lynch, younger sister of Lake Braddock head coach Miriam Lynch.
» Lake Braddock is off to a 5-0 start with two Patriot District meets remaining against West Potomac and South County before postseason meets begin on Jan. 26.
» Ashley Danner holds the Virginia Group AAA state record in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.68) and was second at the state meet in the 200 individual medley.
