It made sense for Linda and Hana Hussein to stand side by side on the podium. McCaskey’s twins are never apart for long.
They found the 100-meter hurdles on the first day of their first practice. They earned their first District Three medals in the same race last weekend.
Linda took third place in Class 3A. Hana was fifth.
“We do everything together,” Hana said. “I feel like we can’t last five minutes without each other.”
The next step for the Hussein sisters is the PIAA track and field championships at Shippensburg University. This is the first time the juniors have qualified. They’ll compete in the prelims Friday.
Together, of course.
They didn’t plan this shared journey. It just happened. Both decided to try hurdles. Both were tall and suited for the event. Both stuck with it. No conversation was required.
“It was second nature for us,” Hana said. “We thought the same thing.”
Linda was more successful in the beginning. Track was her primary sport and her times reflected her year-long commitment. Hana initially played basketball in the winter before quitting to focus more on track.
“I was extremely scared when I discovered it,” Linda said. “In the beginning, I wasn’t even able to three-step.”
Within a week, Linda could. Then she was off and running.
The sisters’ paths are starting to converge and they’ve become two of the best in the area. Both posted PRs at the district meet. Linda set hers at 15.30. Hana hit the line at 15.48. They were the top two finishers from the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
It has become a friendly sibling rivalry. They’re constantly pushing each other.
“I’ve always wanted to catch up to her,” Hana said. “Hopefully, one day I do.”
To which Linda responded: “I never want her to catch me.”
McCaskey coach Derek Jennings believes the Hussein twins could crack 15 seconds next season. That would put them in impressive territory. Only 20 Pennsylvania girls have broken 15 this spring. No one from the L-L did.
“They just keep getting better and better,” Jennings said. “They’re there all the time, they put the work in and you can see the improvement.”
Hana said she watches videos of some of the best, including Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin. The sisters are heavily invested in their progress.
The goal for the weekend is to earn a state medal. It’ll be difficult to reach the finals. Linda is ranked 15th among qualifiers. Hana is ranked 21st.
No matter what happens in the next race, both are on an upward trajectory. Both said it helps to have someone so close to them sharing the highs and lows.
“How motivating is that?” Jennings said. “The person who looks exactly like you and is doing the exact same event is your competition. That would motivate me.”
The Hussein twins have one more year to see where the hurdles take them. They’ll be side by side the entire way.
