Twin siblings can stay close by signing with California schools

WASILLA — Kaitlin and Kaulen Pevan have always been extremely close, even for twins.

The Wasilla High School seniors and twin siblings spend much of their time together. Sometimes the only times Kaitlin and Kaulen are apart is when the multisport WHS athletes are busy with their own activities.

Both have wanted to compete at the college level, and next fall both will have their chance. Best of all for the Pevans, they’ll be attending schools separated by a few miles.

Kaitlin and Kaulen Pevan recently each signed their National Letters of Intent together during a signing ceremony at Wasilla High.

“I couldn’t have imagined it another way,” said Kaitlin, who will play volleyball at Simpson University in Redding, Calif.

Kaulen will play football at Shasta College, which is also located in Redding.

Both of the Pevan twins actually found their future home during Kaitlin’s visit to the Simpson University campus. Kaulen had visited Eastern Oregon, another potential school, but wasn’t sure if it was a right fit.

While having lunch in Redding, during Kaitlin’s visit, Kaulen called one of his old coaches, Jim Shetter, for advice. Shetter suggested Kaulen check Shasta out.

Right after lunch, Kaulen visited the school.

“We showed up on their doorstep,” Kaulen said. “We talked to the football coach and it took off from there.”

Kaulen showed a Shasta coach his highlight tape and the coach was immediately interested. Kaulen was so confident about Shasta, he canceled a visit to the Southern Oregon campus.

Like Kaitlin, Kaulen said he’s excited to attend a school so close to his twin.

“My sister and I have always been close,” Kaulen said. “She’s been there for me and I really like we both signed at the same time.”

Both Kaitlin and Kaulen said sports have play a big role in the Pevan family.

“Our family is big into sports, that’s what we live for,” Kaulen said.

Kaulen has been active in sports since he was 4 years old. He started playing hockey and then hit the football field when he was old enough. Kaulen tried wrestling for a short time before returning to hockey during the winter. He’s also on the WHS track and field team.

Throughout, Kaulen thought football would provide his best chance to compete beyond his time at Wasilla.

“I believe I’m better at football than hockey. Hockey’s just for fun. But football, I knew it’d take me somewhere,” Kaulen said.

Kaulen said his potential to play college football became apparent during his junior year. He started having more success, and other people started noticing. Pevan, who was named second-team All-Railbelt Conference at offensive tackle and all-conference honorable mention at long snapper as a senior, will play right tackle for the Knights, a junior college program.

“Right tackle is the best fit for me,” Kaulen said.

Kaitlin also began to believe in the last few years that she had the chance to compete in college athletics.

“I’ve been thinking about college in California for a while, but volleyball just became an opportunity in the last couple of years,” Kaitlin said.

During a visit to the Simpson campus, Kaitlin said she felt at home.

“It’s a perfect fit,” Kaitlin said. “It’s really beautiful. I felt like a first in. It’s a Christian college, another place to pursue my faith.”

Kaitlin, who will play outside hitter at Simpson, has participated in a number of sports at the youth and prep levels. She played basketball through her sophomore year, but gave that up to focus on volleyball. She tried softball and is still a member of the track and field team. She even played on a youth football team.

“I’ve tried everything,” Kaitlin said.

But she continued to come back to volleyball, and during her final years of high school she figured something out.

“I didn’t want to be finished (with volleyball),” Kaitlin said. “I wanted to pursue it, and take it to the next step.”

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.