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New Trier’s Ackermans running strong
Updated: September 22, 2011 9:59PM
You wouldn’t think two of the state’s premier girls distance runners would be confused with anyone else. But that’s the case when you’re running alongside your identical twin, as New Trier juniors Courtney and Jessica Ackerman are.
“People sometimes take us as the same person, ‘one of the Ackermans,’” Courtney said. “We get a lot of, ‘Which one’s faster?’ It just depends on the day.”
Does that get annoying? “A little,” Jessica said. “Especially when people can’t even tell us apart. We’re basically just the twins.”
But as Trevians coach John Burnside said, “They have had very different journeys to this point.”
Both have had signature successess, including Courtney beating eventual Class 3A cross country champ Lavinia Jurkiewicz of Young to win the Niles West Sectional two years ago. But there also have been challenges like an injury that sidelined Courtney for six weeks at the end of last track season and outside perceptions. “Everybody whose expectations that I would like to hear – parents and Burnside – they are good about not putting on pressure,” Jessica said.
The Ackerman file
Courtney Jessica
Top cross country moment 6th at state, 2009 16th at state, 2010
Top track moment 2nd in 3,200 at state, 2009 2nd in 3,200 at state, 2010
Favorite athlete Distance runner Kayla Beattie Marathoner Ryan Hall
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