Twin champions
Sisters Chloe and Sophie Coutts race toward history on Western's Cross Country team
By Veronika Bryskiewicz
When Western's women's Cross Country team crossed the finish line in Kelowna last fall, twin sisters Chloe and Sophie Coutts helped secure the university's first national women's cross country win in 34 years. The twins, who also compete on the Track & Field team, were likewise instrumental in the Track & Field's national championship win this past year.
The Cross Country team championship victory came after the team claimed their second consecutive provincial title, building on years of steady improvement. For the twins, the victory was even more special as they celebrated alongside graduating teammates who had helped build Western into a national contender.
"It felt like a full circle moment," says Sophie. "It was really big for our program and very exciting to celebrate."
A running start
The sisters were introduced to running in elementary school, where the sport became a regular part of their daily routine. “Cross country was a pretty big focus at our school," says Chloe. "Our teacher was the head of cross country, so our entire class did it."
The twins' father volunteered at practices, making the sport a family affair. As the twins progressed through high school, they joined a club team and began achieving competitive success.
Their talent blossomed as they focused exclusively on running in their final high school years, catching the attention of university coaches. "We knew from some of the older girls in our running club that they'd gone to Western and really liked the head coach," says Sophie. "That's what really drew us to Western."
Balancing academics and athletics
At Western, the twins are pursuing dual degrees in medical sciences and business, while maintaining their rigorous training schedule. They credit their coaches for creating a supportive environment and healthy mindset.
"Having patience and being kind to yourself is really important," says Chloe. "Our coach always has a priority list for us where they say the most important thing is yourself, then your family and friends, then school, and then your sport."
This balanced approach has served them well both academically and athletically. Both sisters have earned multiple Academic All-Canadian honours during their time at Western, which recognizes their ability to maintain high grades while competing as varsity athletes.
Donor support has played a crucial role in the twins' athletic journey at Western.
"The generosity from donors has really helped us a lot," adds Chloe. "It's important for the longevity of sports at Western and for athletes to continue to come to this school, to feel supported. Donors play a huge role."
Future aspirations
Looking beyond Western, the twins have their sights set on a few big goals. With their dual degrees, they hope to work in healthcare companies, applying their business skills in an industry they're passionate about. But they don’t plan on giving up on running.
"After we graduate, we're going to try and run competitively for the next few years," Chloe says. "Aiming to make the Olympics would be a goal for both of us."
With disciplined training schedules and the same teamwork that brought Western a national championship, the Coutts twins continue pushing each other toward excellence—on the track and beyond.
