Meet 10 athletes who have fans seeing double

This article, written by UNC Hussman alumna Caroline Daly ’24, was originally published at unc.edu.

When you go to a Carolina gymnastics meet or watch a golf or lacrosse match, you might be seeing double.

They aren’t all identical, but there are five sets of twins in Carolina athletics who spend lots of time together on and off the field. A couple of these twin athletes can be found studying in Carroll Hall or Curtis Media Center as media and journalism majors.

Elly and Neve King: gymnastics

After doing ballet for several years, the King twins got involved in gymnastics at 7 when their friend started the sport.

“Our mom says we had high energy,” said Elly King. “She thought it would be a good fit, and we never stopped after that.”

When picking a college, they knew it would be hard to adjust to being away from most of their family in Texas. Going to school together would help combat any homesickness.

“It was nice to have Elly by my side,” said Neve King. “With any school we were talking to, we would tell them we wanted to go to school together.”

Carolina had the “full package” for them, combining athletics and academics. They knew the institution was the right fit to prepare them for a career after gymnastics.

The two soon found a family within the gymnastics team.

“Being on a team is like a family but that extra layer of having a sibling is a deeper connection,” said Elly King. “I can go to Neve, and she’ll have my back and be there for me.”

• Year: Sophomore
• Hometown: The Woodlands, Texas
• Studying: Elly King, psychology major, speech and hearing minor; Neve King, media and journalism
• After Carolina: Elly King hopes to become a speech pathologist, and Neve King hopes to work in public relations.

Johnny and Tyler Schwarz: men’s lacrosse

After a family friend introduced the Schwarz twins to lacrosse, Johnny Schwarz started playing in first grade and Tyler Schwarz followed a year after that. “Johnny’s always had a little bit of an edge on me,” his brother joked.

The two never wanted to attend the same college until they visited their close family friend and Carolina lacrosse alumnus Chris Gray ’21, ’23 (MBA) on campus.

“We fell in love with campus,” Johnny Schwarz said. “As soon as the plane landed back home, we committed.” The two loved the family-focused culture that coach Joe Breschi brought to the lacrosse team.

“It’s been nice having that sense of home,” said Tyler Schwarz.

“It’s hard to adjust, especially your first year. It’s been a lot easier having someone I’ve known my whole life.” Johnny Schwarz agreed.

Although they practice and live together, they get a break from each other in their classes. “It’s probably good that we’re not in the same classes because we’d get too competitive,” said Johnny Schwarz.

As they approach graduation, the two are grateful to have experienced Carolina together. “The past four years there have been a lot of ups and downs, especially with lacrosse and injuries,” said Tyler Schwarz. “At least we’ve done it together.”

“I look back at all the experiences we went through together,” said Johnny Schwarz. “It’s made us grow together even more.”

• Year: Senior
• Hometown: Wading River, New York
• Studying: Johnny Schwarz, management and society; Tyler Schwarz, media and journalism
• After Carolina: Johnny Schwarz hopes to get into medical device sales. Tyler Schwarz is joining the Marine Corps.

David and Maxwell Ford: men’s golf

When they were younger, the Ford twins played roller hockey, lacrosse, baseball and soccer. Their dad also introduced them to golf, taking them to a driving range, and when they were 13, that’s the sport they decided to pursue more seriously.

David Ford committed to UNC-Chapel Hill in 2019 while Maxwell Ford went to the University of Georgia.

After two years, Maxwell Ford transferred to Carolina to be with his brother. “The idea of playing golf together and spending a lot of time with David was really appealing,” he said.

The feeling is mutual, says David Ford. “The best part of having Maxwell here is team culture,” he said. “We obviously share similar interests and values, so we have the same thoughts and ideas for the trajectory of the team.”

• Year: Senior
• Hometown: Peachtree Corners, Georgia
• Studying: David Ford, communications; Maxwell Ford, exercise and sport science
• After Carolina: The twins hope to play golf professionally.

Dom and Nick Pietramala: men’s lacrosse

You could say the Pietramala twins were meant to play lacrosse. Their dad, Dave Pietramala, is the defensive coordinator at Carolina. He played in college and then moved into coaching. The twins took up the sport as soon as they could walk.

“As long as I can remember, I grew up with a lacrosse stick,” said Nick Pietramala.

The twins fell in love with Carolina’s campus when they toured and had a great relationship with coach Breschi. It was important to them to attend a school where they felt comfortable academically and socially.

“It’s nice having my brother here as well as my dad,” said Nick Pietramala. “We have dinner together once a week during the season. It’s awesome having an opportunity to be with my family all the time, no matter what, on and off the lacrosse field.”

“We love each other like brothers, but we still have our own space,” said Dom Pietramala. “It’s nice to have that space but also have the same relationship we’ve been having as kids.”

• Year: Junior
• Hometown: Lutherville, Maryland
• Studying: Dom Pietramala, exercise and sport science; Nick Pietramala, peace, war and defense
• After Carolina: Dom Pietramala hopes to attend UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and become a sports agent. Nick Pietramala plans to join the Marine Corps.

Alec and Graham Riddle: men’s lacrosse

The Riddle twins started playing lacrosse together in kindergarten, after their dad brought them to a lacrosse league in their town.

Their brother, Will Riddle ’23, went to Carolina, so the twins were familiar with the academic and athletic success of the school.

What drew them to Carolina lacrosse was the family aspect of the team.

“I love having the brotherhood here and all these other siblings,” said Alec Riddle. “It’s nice to have Graham but also the other twins and siblings on the team. It made it super appealing to come to Carolina.”

The twins aren’t just always together on the lacrosse field, they are always inside the classroom together too, as they both are economics majors.

“We’re very similar and obviously have the same interests,” said Graham Riddle. “With having the same major and surrounding ourselves with other siblings, we have become even closer.”

• Year: Junior
• Hometown: Sea Island, Georgia
• Studying: Both are economics majors.
• After Carolina: Alec Riddle hopes to pursue a career in investment banking; Graham Riddle wants to work in the finance industry.