Farmingdale Twins Lily and Jackson Defendini Lead Teams, Eye Naval Academy and College Swimming

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Lily and Jackson Defendini, 17-year-old twins born just one minute apart, are senior captains at Farmingdale High School in Farmingdale, New York. Lily leads the swim and dive team, while Jackson captains the lacrosse team and is playing varsity football for the first time this fall as an edge rusher and tight end.

Jackson, a lacrosse midfielder who has played varsity since freshman year, decided to play football this season to be part of longtime beloved coach Buddy Krumenacher's final year. He said the stories he heard growing up from freshman year made him know he had to give it at least one year with the coach, calling it an amazing year.

The twins, who also ski with their 82-year-old grandfather, Charles, almost every winter weekend, have pushed each other academically and athletically since childhood. In middle school, they narrowed down to one or two sports to pursue seriously, and their devout work ethic has led to high aspirations after graduating in green and white in 2027.

Lily, a talented sprinter, said that of the nine periods in the school day, the twins shared eight of them together in most years. She credited their close proximity for helping them push one another. Jackson calls Lily his academic motivator, noting that they often have books out everywhere while finishing homework and eating dinner at the same time.

Lily said Jackson pushed her in the gym, bringing her to their basement to lift weights until she could barely lift a pencil. She was not a frequent gym-goer, and he would make her lift until she probably could not even lift a pencil. In turn, she helps him study for challenging advanced placement courses.

The twins acknowledged some growing pains in their early years but said their bond helped them rise above challenges. Lily told her brother that going into freshman year he was a bit of a mess, but watching him become a leader and motivator has been an honor in her life.

Jackson was inspired by a Midshipman neighbor to apply to the United States Naval Academy. He said he really wants to give back and feels the skills he learned in high school will help him serve the nation. After, he would like to extend an extra five years in service to give back what the nation has given him in his 17 years of being alive.

Lily said she wants to swim no matter what, even if she cannot compete at the Division I or Division II level, and would pursue Division III or club swimming because she loves the sport and the community it has given her. She has already recorded a 59.37-second 100-yard freestyle.

Now the Defendini twins want to end high school in style. Lily hopes to put up some of her best numbers yet in the pool. Jackson wants to take the 4-1 football team to the Nassau County title. He called it an amazing year with the coach.

The twins have made peace with the likelihood that their lives will go in very different directions next year, but they feel branching out is the right thing to do. Jackson said it is important that each goes off on their own journey, and when it is all done and they are both settled, they will come back to each other and be there for each other.

Jackson added that having a twin sister in high school is really great and a blessing he wishes everyone could have. The twins, who have been in each other's corner since day one, continue to support each other as they finish their senior year and prepare for their next chapters.

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Lily Defendini Jackson Defendini Farmingdale High School United States Naval Academy Nassau County Buddy Krumenacher Farmingdale New York

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