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. – Track and field is one of the most supportive yet competitive sports within a single team. Athletes compete for their team, but also against their teammates at times. For Michelle and Elizabeth Herbes, that’s taken to a different level as the two sisters both compete for the Eastern Oregon University track and field team.
Elizabeth and Michelle Herbes
Michelle is a sophomore middle distance runner also on the cross country team and older sister is a senior sprinter. They didn’t plan on both being Mountaineers, it just kind of happened.
“It wasn’t that we always wanted to go to the same school together, but we both wanted to compete in college,” said the sisters.
Being together at the same school, however, has been great for the pair. They always have someone pushing the other to be better, while also being supportive.
“We created our own little sibling competition and are also the biggest support system,” said the pair from Union, Ore. “It was fun to compete against and with each other. You always have your buddy there with you and know that you will always have someone cheering for you.”
While this past season was unfortunately canceled due to the corona virus, the two sisters have shared some amazing experiences together on the track. Last year, the pair teamed up with two other Mounties to win the Cascade Collegiate Conference 4x400 championship in a time of three minutes, 53.95. It automatically qualified them for the NAIA National Championship and is seventh all-time on the EOU career list.
The two are two years apart, but often get confused for twins. Michelle is majoring in exercise science and would like to pursue a career as a college track and cross country coach. Elizabeth is majoring in business and plans to open a bakery.