Choosing a college athletics program is often deeply personal, but for seven student-athletes at American University, the decision became a family affair.
Across field hockey, swimming, and wrestling, three sets of siblings have found themselves wearing the same colors on campus—balancing academic ambition, athletic grit, and a special, built-in support system as they compete together for the Eagles.
Ashley Huddleston and Sydney Huddleston: Field Hockey
Ashley Huddleston, CAS/BS '27, had just begun her field hockey career at AU when her younger sister, Sydney, Kogod/BSBA '29, FaceTimed her from Virginia Beach.
"Ash, there's something I want to tell you," said Sydney, then a high school junior. "I think we're gonna go to college together."
"Oh, my God!" Ashley exclaimed from Bender Library.
Ashley had avoided nudging her sister's decision. But when Sydney chose to join AU's 16-time Patriot League Championship program and arrived on campus last fall, that meant AU felt even more like home.
"All of a sudden, I could turn around and [tease] my little sister at practice or kick the stick out of her hand," Ashley said, smiling. "We've played together for so long, and she knows me like nobody else [does]."
The sisters—who will play their final home opener together against Richmond on Friday—balance contrasting personalities. Ashley is a methodical biology major preparing for medical school, while Sydney is an easygoing business major on the pre-law track.
Daily morning practices bridge their routines. Beyond the turf, having each other close by has meant spontaneous coffee drop-offs during MCAT prep, shared Target runs, and exploring DC together.
"It's the little moments I look forward to most—the ones you don't plan for—when we are on a phone call with one of our parents and then the other [sister] comes and joins," Sydney said. "I'm also excited to take the field with her. . . for one more season."
Gavin Shifflett and Ella Shifflett: Swimming
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, natives Ella Shifflett, SIS/BA '27, and Gavin Shifflett, CAS/BS '29, have shared lanes since elementary school.
"We've always been there for each other," Ella said. "It's amazing to hear Gavin on the side cheering for me or counting for me in longer races."
Ella fell in love with AU during her official visit, drawn to the balance of rigorous academics, the coaching staff, and DC's professional opportunities. Once she committed, AU moved toward the top of Gavin's list.
"The kicker [for me] was [knowing] my sister was there," he said. "When I committed, I knew I would have two years with [her]. I'm going to take advantage of [them]."
Throughout their meets—which kick off in September—the siblings remain each other's primary support system, regularly meeting at the edge of the pool after every race.
Cameron Milheim, Kaden Milheim, and Reagan Milheim: Wrestling
If the starting lineup aligns this winter, opponents could face a formidable gauntlet of three consecutive Milheim brothers in duals against AU: Cameron (149 lbs.), Reagan (157 lbs.), and Kaden (165 lbs.).
This fall, true freshman Reagan Milheim, Kogod/BS '30, joined older brothers Cameron, Kogod/BS '29, and Kaden, Kogod/BS '27, on the Meltzer Center mat. While three brothers on the same collegiate roster is rare, the possibility this could happen was always in the back of their minds.
"I feel like we all wanted this to work out," said Cameron, who lives with Kaden and three other teammates in Tenleytown.
Their shared path began in Muncy, Pennsylvania, where Kaden started wrestling at age 7, and his younger brothers quickly followed suit. Living-room brawls and trampoline showdowns soon turned into dominant high school careers. Dubbed the "Milheim Steamroller," the trio made history in 2023 by leading Warrior Run High School to its first state tournament appearance.
Head coach Jason Borrelli's staff began recruiting Kaden after he placed third at the PIAA state tournament as a junior. Cameron and Reagan sat at the dinner table to hear the AU recruiting pitch, which made Kaden's eventual commitment an easy choice. After he committed, it became an open secret that the Eagle coaches would be interested in his brothers, too, when they were old enough.
Insight from his older brother led Cameron to commit to four years in DC before his junior season. Reagan—a four-time state medalist who finished with a 195–10 high school record and arrived at AU as FloWrestling's No. 27 recruit in the country—initially hesitated to follow his brothers.
"At first, I thought there was no way I was going there," Reagan admitted. "But after visiting and really thinking about it, I realized how cool it would be to wrestle with my brothers."
Now competing in adjacent weight classes, the trio pushes each other daily in the wrestling room with bragging rights on the line. "We're all competitive," Cameron said. "When we wrestle each other, it pushes us a little extra because it's family."
