North twins, Emporia duo provide tough competition in winter sports

CatchItKansas.com recently featured a rarity in high school sports: two sets of twins playing on the same varsity basketball team.

Brison and Briston White and Brook and Brock Caldwell play for the Wichita North boys, who have compiled a 3-2 record and already matched the Redskins’ win total from last year. They hope to help turn the program around after a 3-18 season in 2007-08.

The Whites are juniors, and the Caldwells are seniors. Brook and Brock plan to attend college next year, but they aren’t sure if they will play basketball. The adjustment of playing separately will be difficult for both sets of twins since they are cousins.

“It’s gonna be painful,” said Brook.

“Uncomfortable,” Brison added.

Another dynamic duo in the area also wears red uniforms, but Mark Kolmer and Sal Tovar are wrestlers. The boys aren’t related, but they lead a strong Emporia program that is the top-ranked team in Class 5A, according to the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

Sal, a senior, is the top-ranked wrestler at 135 pounds. Mark, a junior, is ranked No. 1 at 189 pounds. Both boys advanced to the state finals last year, where they lost to formidable opponents.

Sal fell to John Keller, who was part of the state-championship Bishop Carroll team. Mark lost to Romero Cotton, the undefeated four-time state champ from Hutchinson. Both victors have graduated, and Sal and Mark are good bets to claim titles this season.

They fared well at the recent Derby Invitational. Mark and Sal advanced to the championship matches. Although neither boy won, their losses were to Class 6A wrestlers. Emporia placed second at the invitational, but the Spartans were the highest-placing team among 5A squads.

Since three of the top four teams in 5A traveled to Derby, Emporia looks to be a strong contender for the state wrestling title.

Spartan coach Greg Buckbee certainly hopes so. Emporia is looking for its first team state championship since 2000.

“Hopefully a state trophy is in the cards this year,” said the coach.