At first glance, Riverside Brookfield High School seniors Cooper and Hayden Marrs barely pass as brothers.
“Definitely we get that a lot,” Cooper said. “I don’t know. I try to laugh it off.”
The 6-foot-3 blonde Cooper and 5-8 brown-haired Hayden certainly don’t look like twins.
“It’s always like a shocker to people when we tell them we’re twins, especially the height difference. It’s both funny and motivating,” Hayden said. “I think our personalities is more of a shocker. Not only do we look different but our different personalities makes it even more of a surprise that we are twins.”
However, put them on a sports field, especially together, and their talents bond and mutual respect shines through. Together and apart, the twins have played big roles for the Bulldogs in several sports as they prepare to go their separate ways.
Cooper will play baseball at NCAA Division III Denison University (Granville, Ohio). Hayden will continue track and field at Division I University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, Minn.) although he considered Denison.
“I’m sure he’s probably ready to get me off his back a little bit,” Cooper said, laughing. “It’s pretty crazy having someone there to compete with and have fun with, train with, whatever sport.”
As youngsters, the Marrs brothers remember countless hours as teammates in recreational and youth leagues for baseball, soccer and basketball. Club swimming came around 11 or 12 years old.
“It’s someone I can both compete with and break down the day with,” Hayden said. “It’s kind of nice. He’s my best friend and best competitor, I would say.”
They’ve been RBHS teammates in cross country and swimming all four years and track as freshmen.
Cooper then switched to baseball. Still in track, Hayden also splits time playing water polo during the spring.
“He’s definitely one of the hardest workers I know. I look up to him the most of any athlete I know,” Cooper said.
“I think we’re very different people. It works in our relationship, though. When we were younger, those differences came out a little more, but as we’ve gotten older, we’ve gotten a lot closer, especially in athletics.”
Perhaps fittingly, they shared their greatest high school triumph — helping the Bulldogs capture the 2022 Class 2A state championship in boys cross country — the school’s first state title in any sport.
“It was really fun making that a family affair because what better person to do it with than my brother?” Hayden said.
Cooper finished fifth for his second of three straight top-25 all-state finishes in 2A or 3A. Hayden was 160th as the team’s No. 7 finisher.
“That was by far the best because I think we played such integral parts,” Cooper said. “We’ve had so many moments together. The state championship was definitely the best.”
As swimmers, they achieved their first state berths in February. As track freshmen, they went to state on different relays and Cooper in the 1,600-meter run. Hayden returned to state last season with the 4 x 800 and 4 x 400 relays.
In baseball, Cooper has been All-Metro Suburban Conference his first two seasons. As a senior, the third baseman/pitcher has a .337 batting average with three homers and 16 runs batted in. He has a 3-0 pitching record with 32 strikeouts in 24.2 innings even after spraining the wrist of his right throwing arm during the offseason.
“He’s physically intimidating — a tall, big frame, but he also has an ability to turn any doubts in his mind off, which gives him a competitive edge,” Hayden said.
Hayden is back running this spring. He barely competed during cross country while recovering from stress fractures in both legs.
Cooper appreciates Hayden’s tips regarding food and exercise science.
“That’s one of the biggest things I lean on,” Cooper said. “Hayden is a natural leader in any sport he does and he always gives the best advice. For me especially, he’s almost like a guard rail. He’s always there saying the right thing to me, knowing what will make you tick.”
Away from sports, the twins share and welcome each other’s friends. Being away from each other will be the next challenge.
“I was ready to try life without him [at St. Thomas] but obviously stay in touch,” Hayden said.
“We break down each other’s competitions for the day, but other than that we sort of joke around. We’re just hanging out but we definitely talk [sports].”