A Beacon Family Affair: The Estifanos Siblings
With COVID-19 putting live sporting events on hold, the Cascade Collegiate Conference wanted to take the time to highlight families within our #ThisIsTheCCC community. Many of our member institutions have administration, coaches and student-athletes family members competing together, making the CCC truly a family affair.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Soccer is part of the Estifanos’ siblings DNA. They both grew up playing soccer and that passion led them both to play at Northwest Christian University.
Simon and Sarah Estifanos just had one year together at NCU – Simon finished his senior season with the Beacons in the fall while Sarah just started her collegiate career – but the two exercise science majors made the most of it.
Since game days usually included doubleheaders of the men’s and women’s games, big brother Simon could watch little sister Sarah and vice versa, even on the road.
“I love that I had the opportunity to watch all of my little sister’s games since we traveled together,” said Simon. “It’s been especially great for me to the see the progress she’s made on the field.”
Soccer is a big part of the Estifanos’ athletic makeup. Like most kids, they tried other sports, but nothing stuck like soccer. Two of their uncles coach soccer – including Biniam Afenegus, who started the men’s soccer program at Southern Oregon University – and a lot of their cousins have also gone on to play in college.
“Soccer is the only sport my family really knows,” said Simon. “Ever since I could remember, my sister and I have been kicking a soccer ball.”
“Growing up, my brother and I mainly played soccer,” added Sarah. “We have both played it our entire life and were blessed with the opportunity to have one year of playing at the same school. It wasn’t part of the plan to go to the same school, it just happened.”
While it might not have been their plan to both attend NCU, Simon and Sarah Estifanos will forever be Beacons to one another, especially when it comes to the game they both love.