Playing a sport you so deeply enjoy is already a great feeling, but playing it by the side of your brother is even better. For senior Michael Schulien and younger brother, freshman Ryan Schulien, this is the case. Both brothers have been playing their favorite sport, lacrosse, for their entire lives, and this year they got the chance to play together on the Boys Varsity Lacrosse team.

  For every athlete, there is a different story behind why they may pick up a sport. For some, it is curiosity, and others, it is encouraged.  For M. Schulien, it was his idol.

  “I’d have to say Brendan Del Prete is my biggest influence in Lacrosse. From the moment I laid eyes on that gorgeous athlete, I knew I had to try the sport,” said M. Schulien. For younger brother R. Schulien, it was a little different.

  “My biggest influence is my Dad, who introduced me to the sport. Once I was introduced, I knew I was hooked for life,” said R. Schulien. Since both play lacrosse and live in the same house, there is plenty of time for the two to take a step outside and work on their game together.

  “Ryan and I like to get in some work in the yard as often as we can. I really enjoy helping him out and teaching him the game,” said M. Schulien. However, with practice comes competition, stiff competition that the brothers both like to show through smack talk.

  “There is a good deal of trash talking and competitiveness between me and Michael. It’s good for us though because it gives us an incentive to get better to earn bragging rights,” said R. Schulien. Although the both love to be competitive with each other, both brothers know what roles they play when it comes to who is the teacher and who is the student. Older brother M. Schulien feels it is important to coach his younger brother.

  “I definitely like helping Ryan. Playing a sport you love with your little brother is a pretty special experience so I like to make the most out of it and help him be the best player he can be,” said M. Schulien.

  “I really like when Michael gives me pointers on my game, it really shows that he cares and it’s nice to know I have my own personal coach,” said R. Schulien.

  Although both brothers can be competitive against each other at times, M. Schulien and R. Schulien are very excited to be enjoying their passion together and are ready to tackle the 2014 season.

  “I mean come on, it doesn’t get any better than this. We are are the dynamic duo,” said M. Schulien.