This week’s Campus Celebs are a sibling duo making waves in and out of the water. Meet twins Sarah and James Lueken, sophomores on the UW rowing team from Fox Point, Wisconsin. The Lueken twins are hoping to bring their respective teams even more success on the water this spring. I had the pleasure of interviewing them about growing up with a twin and their lives as student-athletes at UW-Madison.
What was your favorite part about growing up with a twin?
Sarah: My favorite part about being a twin is all of the memories we have together. It is only the two of us, and I didn’t grow to appreciate the fact that we are twins until I got older. We always had each other as playmates when we were younger and we have a lot to look back and laugh about.
James: Knowing that there had never existed a greater set of siblings prior to our birth. I also cherish all of the inside jokes that we have together.
How has college impacted your relationship with one another?
S: I’m thankful to be on the same campus as James because he is always able to make me laugh or help lighten my mood with one of his weird jokes if I’m having a rough day. We both have busy schedules, but I always love catching up whether we see each other at the boathouse or are making dinner together.
J: Freshman year, we didn’t spend as much time together as we did in high school, but now that we have matured and found our own strides, we like to study and make meals together occasionally. We always see each other around the boathouse, so it is very similar to being at home together.
What is your favorite memory as a UW rower?
S: So far one of my favorite memories has been rowing at the Milwaukee River Challenge this past September with a seven of my sophomore teammates! It is a difficult course to steer because there are several turns and the river is so narrow, but our freshman coxswain raced it perfectly. I rowed everyday on the Milwaukee River in high school so it was surreal to return as a UW rower.
J: Bonding with the coxswain (smaller person in the boat that steers and yells) of my boat last year, Luke Sidoti.
What has been the biggest obstacle, rowing or college in general, that you’ve had to overcome?
S: The biggest obstacle I’ve faced is handling the stress that comes with rowing. The sport is so rewarding because of the bond our teammates have with each other, but it requires an immense amount of mental toughness. I am always learning how to channel positive energy at practice and not allow the difficult days to negatively affect the other aspects of my life.
J: Not being able to live with our Labradors, Lambeau and Irish, anymore. Sarah and I miss them a lot.
What is your major and dream job?
S: I am a Communication Arts major. My dream job is to be a pop star, but since I have zero singing ability, I would love to become an events planner!
J: I am majoring in French, and my dream job is to photograph the wildlife and landscapes of the earth.
Name three things you want to accomplish before you graduate
S: Attend a sports event for each team on campus, learn piano, and take a hip-hop class.
J: Start a finger skateboarding club, fully calibrate my biological clock, be a better Campus Cutie than Bryce Lackey.
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
S: I love baking. It’s relaxing to do after a long day of practice and class.
J: My roommates and I are on a never-ending quest for Super Smash Bros nirvana by means of the Nintendo-64 game system.
How do you feel about being this week’s Campus Celeb?
S: Honored to be featured with my bro, J.
J: Somewhere in-between hoisting the Stanley Cup and breaking 100 likes on an Instagram.
Check out this duo practicing their rowing skills on Lake Mendota this summer!