No sibling rivalry for Sheva sisters

Caitlyn and Marissa Sheva put family first and athletics second.

The sisters - Caitlyn, a senior, and Marissa, a sophomore - have achieved significant success in their athletic careers at Pennridge, even when racing against each other.

"I love running against my sister," Caitlyn said. "We've always trained together, even when we were little, so when we race together, it doesn't even feel like a race. It's more comfortable."

Earlier this year, Marissa Sheva won the indoor state championship in the mile run with a time of 4 minutes, 58.46 seconds. Caitlyn finished in 5:10.38 for 11th place.

"They both have the drive to succeed," Pennridge coach Bill Smith said. "The fact that they have each other is a benefit because they support each other and work with one another not only at practice but on their own."

Nearly a month after the indoor season ended, the Sheva sisters competed at the first event of the outdoor season, the 29th annual Pennsylvania Track Classic on March 30.

In a field of 18 runners, Marissa Sheva easily won the 1,600 meters in 5:02.8. Caitlyn was second in 5:07.25.

"I love running with her," Marissa said. "I feel like there's less pressure, and it doesn't feel like we're against each other. It just feels like we're going for a run together."

Said Smith: "One of the reasons they ran together at the classic was because Marissa was going to help Caitlyn, and it was a motivator for Caitlyn to push Marissa. So they're helping one another to get better."

On Saturday, Caitlyn Sheva won the silver medal in the 3,200 at the Hurricane Track Classic at Villa Maria with an 11:17.20 finish. Marissa, who also focuses her time on soccer, hasn't competed at an area meet since the Pennsylvania Track Classic.

"We want each other to do great," Marissa said. "We don't really see it as competition, and if there was one girl I would want to lose to, it'd be my sister."

As Caitlyn Sheva winds down the final track season of her high school career, she has much to look forward to. She has committed to run at East Carolina University.

Not to be outdone, Marissa Sheva, despite having two years of high school remaining, has committed to Penn State for soccer.

Thus, Marissa will face a new hurdle when her sister moves on to college: running without Caitlyn.

"It's going to be a rough transition," Marissa said. "I'm so used to saying, 'Let's go for a run,' and I won't be able to do that anymore. It's definitely going to be different."

As successful as Caitlyn's career at Pennridge has been, she happily conceded that her sister's future could be even brighter.

"I try to keep up with her as much as I can," Caitlyn Sheva said. "But it doesn't always end up that way. She's going to do amazing, especially if she keeps training."