Jana and Logan Kucera have been together since birth. In fact, the Grade 9 Chatham-Kent Secondary School students, and identical twins, were born two and a half hours apart, which is likely the longest these budding athletes have been separated.
With this binding biological link, it only makes sense the duo also has a unique connection on the field and court. In fact, Jana and Logan have played on every team together since they could run and carry a ball or racket.
In the past several seasons, the twins have played for the Chatham-Kent Wildcats basketball, Strathroy Spirit basketball, Chatham Golden Eagles softball, Chatham Strikers soccer, and several Chatham-Kent Secondary School sports teams.
After being together since birth, playing on every team together just seems natural.
“It’s what we are used to,” Jana, who was a first-team city all-star for CKSS’ junior girls’ basketball team this season, and was also the first born of the twins. “We both love to compete and we know we have each other’s support.”
“It’s something that seems natural to us,” added Logan. “We both love sports so we have always played together.”
Although most of their teammates can tell Jana and Logan apart, their competition, and often coaches, struggle to differentiate the two.
“We are used to it and it doesn’t bother us,” the twin’s both agreed about the confusion regarding who’s who on the playing field. “We just keep playing.”
Perhaps the confusion stems from their appearance, or the fact they play similar styles and positions on most teams, or perhaps it’s the fact they’re always side by side, supporting each other, and pushing the other to be better.
“We talk to each other during the games to figure out how to correct something. We both want to contribute to the team and be the best we can be,” said Jana.
That desire to contribute and improve, however, can sometimes lead to sisterly clashes. According to Logan, who was a second-team Kent All-Star this year in both basketball and volleyball at CKSS, they both benefit from the other’s push.
“Because we are so competitive, we sometimes point out each other’s flaws or mistakes,” said Logan. “It doesn’t always make the other person happy but it makes us play smarter and stronger.”
That mutual drive, according to their parents Rick and Donna, who can also be found cheering on their son, Lee, another multi-sport athlete, has really sparked the girls to improve over recent years.
“They learn from each other’s mistakes and motivate one another to raise their level of play,” said Donna, who also coaches and teaches at CKSS.
Although they give their opponents double trouble, standing side by side on the court or on the field, the twins give their parents double enjoyment watching them compete together.
“It might sound cliché, but we have had double the pleasure watching them compete and grow together in all of their sports,” said Donna Kucera. “Watching their instinctive play confirms what we have always heard about the twin connection.”
Even though they’re together from morning to night, Rick and Donna have also made sure the twins, nicknamed J-Lo by other parents, and often distinguishable only by their numbers to opponents, have made sure Jana and Logan are also growing up as individuals.
“Despite being members on the same teams, they have also grown as individuals, which is important to us and them in life,” said their parents.
“It has always been a priority to ensure they develop as individuals. While they look alike, enjoy each other’s company, like the same style of clothes, study together and socialize with the same friends and teammates, their personalities are different. We try to make sure we address their individual needs as athletes and as people.”
Despite their individually, the duo will always be connected. That’s just the way they want it. From knowing how the other thinks, to knowing where they will be on the court or field, Jana and Logan not only benefit from playing together, they couldn’t imagine life any other way.
“We can’t imagine life in sport without each other,” the twins agreed. “We motivate each other to get better and we are stronger competitors because there is always someone in our ear telling us how many points or goals she got or how far she threw. The best part is that we have always had someone to share the challenges of sport, and the successes.”
