By Justin Phelps
When it comes to women’s athletics at U of L the name Nord has been known for several years. Yet, this spring look for another athlete by the last name of Nord to make an impact for the University of Louisville athletics. Shannon Nord, the twin sister of Louisville women’s basketball star Sara Nord, is now a member of the softball team. Shannon is a transfer from Morehead State and joins the team with high accolades by being named to the Ohio Valley Conference second team as a freshman at MSU.
Although Nord performed well on and off the field at Morehead, she decided that it was not the place for her. “I missed my family a lot,” said Shannon. “Things were not what I thought they would be.” One person who Shannon could always talk to was her sister. “I called her crying a lot.” The time away from one another has made their relationship grow even stronger. “We are really close now that we have grown up and matured,” Sara said. “We are a lot closer than we have ever been.”
Shannon and Sara may be twins but Sara is quick to point out that she is three minutes older than her ‘younger sister.’ The two also have different opinions about who has the better personality. “Everyone say that she (Shannon) is so nice and that I am so mean,” said Sara. “I don’t buy that.” When Shannon was asked who was nicer her eyes lit up and she did not hesitate for a second to claim that she was the nicer one.
But one thing that these twins can agree on is the passion for their sport. Sara is the starting point guard for the Lady Cardinals and is an instrumental part of this year’s success. Meanwhile, Shannon will be playing leftfield for the softball team and hopes this season will be a good one. “I just hope that we play well and have a conference championship,” said Shannon. “I hope we can come together as a team.”
Despite the fact that the Nord twins are playing two different sports at the college level, they were teammates for the softball team when they played for Jeffersonville High School in Indiana. “I miss it a lot and I want to be out there too,” said Sara. “Shannon and I were in the outfield and it was the best time.” Although Sara would love to play softball too, her basketball coaches prohibit it because it interferes with the basketball season and they are afraid that she may get injured.
Shannon would love to play on the same team as her sister again. “I think that it would be neat. I saw twins play on the same team this weekend and I was thinking; I wish I had mine.”
Sara will be able to make her presence known at the softball games as a fan as she plans on going to go to all of Shannon’s game to give her support. Likewise, Shannon expects to see her sister out at all of her games. “We are big supporters of each other. I would have to say that she is my number one fan and I am her number one fan.”
Now that Shannon is at U of L and closer to her family, she can enjoy her college experience. “I am a lot happier,” Shannon said. “And there is a lot less tears.” With the continuous support of one another, the Nord twin’s relationship will continue to grow even stronger. When it is all said and done, the Nord sisters will not only have a huge impact on U of L athletics; they will also have a big impact on one another.
