Published: May 10, 2008 08:46 pm      

WINKLER TWINS OF RICHMOND FIND SUCCESS ON NATIONALLY-RANKED EKU MOCK TRIAL TEAM

Entertainment has Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

Hogwarts has Fred and George Weasley.

Eastern Kentucky University’s mock trial team has Katrina and Kristeena Winkler.

The Richmond twins have more than their appearance in common. They have been best friends their entire lives.

“When other kids had imaginary friends or would get possessive over their ‘best friend,’ we didn’t get it because we have always had each other,” Katrina said.

As teenagers, they both cheered and excelled academically at Madison Central High School, where they graduated in 2005.

It’s no surprise both chose EKU for their undergraduate studies.

Although their majors are different — Katrina is pre-medicine and Kristeena plans to attend law school — both share a passion for success and are highly motivated.

“They are extremely intelligent, hard-working and dedicated,” said Dr. Sara Zeigler, coach of the EKU mock trial team.

The sisters juggle classes, positions within the Chi Omega sorority, mock trial responsibilities and make time to oversee the nursery at their church. And they manage it all successfully.

While they share interests and physical characteristics, their individual personalities become clear the moment they begin speaking.

Katrina is animated and intense, her words illustrated by gestures and facial expressions. Conversely, Kristeena seems mild-mannered, articulating as well as her sister, but more softly and less often. However, both contend they are not as different as people perceive.

“We have the same basic ideas about things. We just present them differently,” said Katrina. “We are both pretty goal-oriented. It doesn’t matter what it is.”

Their “can-do” approach has helped the twins gain respect and recognition within their various activities. Katrina is vice president of Chi Omega, while Kristeena is treasurer. Both are members of the Order of Omega, a Greek honors society, and maintain impressive grade-point averages.

“No matter what we do, we are never satisfied just being a member. We have to be good at it,” Katrina said.

EKU’s mock trial team, which recently placed ninth in the National Championship Tournament, certainly benefits from the sisters’ focus and drive. Dr. Zeigler said Kristeena has received an Outstanding Attorney award at almost every tournament, and Katrina received an Outstanding Witness award and will move into attorney roles next semester.

However, the sisters and Dr. Zeigler agree that mock trial with twins can get a bit tricky.

“It was weird because we looked alike and people noticed,” said Kristeena. “We dress them differently and have Katrina use her middle name, Anne, in competition to avoid confusing the judges,” Dr. Zeigler said.

Mock trial judges are not the only people prone to mistaken identity. After a competition a couple of years ago, Katrina kept in touch with a member of another mock trial team via Facebook. She was reunited with her friend when his mock trial team also made it to this year’s National Championship Tournament. Their reunion was a bit delayed when Katrina’s friend spotted Kristeena first.

“He walked up to Kristeena thinking she was me and hugged her and said, ‘Hey, how are ya?’” Katrina said with a laugh.

Meanwhile, Kristeena thought, “Who is this person and why is he hugging me?”

The twins said they are accustomed to the confusion and it is more awkward for the person making the mistake than it is for them.

In spite of attending the same university, being mistaken for each other and being part of the same activities, Kristeena and Katrina rarely tire of each other’s company.

Actually, both hope to be accepted to the University of Kentucky for their graduate studies.

“It kinda helps when someone is really busy with you,” said Katrina.

“Yeah, when you get stressed out you can relate to the other person,” Kristeena said.

After completing school, the two plan to settle in Richmond. Katrina says they may not be next-door neighbors, but they will probably always live and work in the same community.

“Kristeena can be my malpractice attorney,” Katrina joked.