Ranch twins have sights set on Olympic gold

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Thirteen-year-olds Taylor and Jordan Augustyniak aren’t accustomed to running laps.

In fact, the two would much rather spend their afternoons running through natural terrain than running around in circles on the track.

“I don’t really like running in circles,” Jordan said.

Taylor agreed.

“It’s good to know how far you’ve gone, but I just like going through different terrains,” Taylor said.

But, this summer, the two sisters have spent ample time counting laps in preparation for the AAU National Junior Olympics. The two will compete in the 3,000-meter run Aug. 4, in Humble, Texas, marking their first appearance in the Junior Olympics.

And, although it may be their first Junior Olympics, the girls aren’t shy about their expectations.

“We want to break 12 minutes,” Taylor said. “We just have to keep working hard, training and pushing ourselves.

Taylor and Jordan qualified for the Junior Olympics after finishing third and fourth, respectively, in the AAU Area 09 Qualifier in Miami. Prior to that, the two placed third and fourth in the AAU Florida District Qualifier in Altamonte.

“I just like going to different meets and seeing if you can make it to the next level,” Taylor said.

Jordan agreed.

“I just liking trying to get better and setting a goal and achieving it,” Jordan said.

The two sisters began running when they were 10 years old.

“We just felt like we wanted to do it,” Taylor said. “Other kids were doing it, so we joined the team.”

Last year, the two ran for Tabernacle Christian School, for which they helped their team finish 11th at the Florida Middle School State Championships before participating in the National Cross Country Championships.

Since then, the girls have begun training four days a week on the track. This fall, Taylor and Jordan will return to the cross-country course when they begin competing for St. Martha Catholic School with the hopes of eventually running in high school and, perhaps, beyond.

“I think we want to run as long as we can,” Taylor said.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].