Jeff Moeller, sports correspondent
Next fall, Tanya McCormick’s daily and weekly schedule will certainly be a little less hectic. For the better part of the last 12-plus years, she has been serving as a jack-of-all-trades for her triplets, Cullen, Caitlin, and Brayden, who all recently graduated from Richmond Hill.
In high school, Cullen was a basketball standout, Caitlin excelled on the soccer field, and Brayden flourished on the lacrosse fields for the Wildcats. Since their early youth, it has been a whirlwind of adventures across numerous sports for their mom. Yet it has been well worth it, even if the competition often extended beyond the courts and fields.
“Raising three kids in sports has been so much fun, but it has been insanely busy juggling multiple schedules, especially when they began playing different sports,” reflected their mother. “There have been a lot of games between club and school and many, many miles over the years.”
“All three are outgoing and very competitive but approach things differently. Everything is always a contest in our house. But they are also very close and supportive of each other.”
Being fraternal twins, each of them has maintained a different outlook.
“They are all very driven but their focus has shifted some,” said their mom, “Cullen is very goal oriented and always planned to play basketball in college. Brayden has loved lacrosse but has shifted his focus and drive to becoming a civil engineer. Caitlin has played soccer since she was three. I think several experiences paired with injuries shifted her focus this past year.”
McCormick noted that her husband, Terry, who does not have the same flexibility to be involved due to his work commitments. But he keeps tabs via a media outlet.
“He is supportive from work,” stated Mrs. McCormick. “Watching NFHS Network definitely helps! His schedule did not allow him to make all of the travel games.
“Sometimes, though, we had to divide and conquer, always running zone defense since we are out numbered. We tried to always make sure a parent was present at every game.”
Cullen has cherished all the moments along the way. She was a first-team, GHSA Class 6A selection for basketball this past season.
“Growing up as a triplet has honestly been awesome,” said Cullen. “I love my siblings, and we’ve all played sports our whole lives, so it’s been really fun always having each other there. We’re super competitive with each other sometimes, especially in sports, but it’s all love at the end of the day.”
She will always remember playing on the same soccer team with her sister and watching her brother’s baseball games.
“Now, that was competitive,” said Cullen about playing soccer with her sister. “My favorite memory with my brother is going to watch his baseball games. I loved going to the concession stand.”
Caitlin also has appreciated her situation. Her favorite memory with her siblings was a fishing trip in Costa Rica this past summer when all of them were debating about who caught the biggest fish.
Growing up as a triplet is the biggest blessing I have ever had in my life,” said Caitlin. “You grow up having built in best friends, someone to talk to, and someone to always motivate you to be the best version of yourself.”
Still, the anticipated rivalry hasn’t often surfaced.
“There has never been a big rivalry between my brother and I,” added Caitlin. “We get along very well most of the time and one of my favorite things my brother and I do is before every game we always text each other good luck and some encouraging words. We just started doing this this past year, and I don’t think it will ever change even if it’s not sports related.”
Being the lone boy, Brayden could be expected to have his share of experiences with his sisters. But he acknowledged the constant positivity and support from them. He will always treasure their lake summer days with fishing and tubing.
“Growing up with two sisters means there is never a dull moment,” recalled Brayden. “ We all started playing soccer together and that is when the real competitiveness began between us.
“As we got older and split into different sports, we supported each other and pushed each other to be better everyday. We also just found other things to compete about in a fun way. We’re always finding ways to compete, but all out of love, making us as close as we are today.”
Their mom will soon watch them begin a new chapter with Cullen, who will continue her basketball career, and Caitlin are headed to Georgia College and State University and Brayden headed to Mercer College. Fittingly, they will be roughly 30 miles apart.
However, their mom will never let the memories slip away.
“As this chapter comes to a close, there is not one specific game that stands out. The memories I will cherish the most are all of the car rides with the pep talks, occasional tears, silliness, and Chick-Fil-A. Sometimes the car rides were my only one-on-one time with each of them.”
Cullen and her siblings are also ready for the next chapter.
“One of the best parts is always having people your age to hang out with and go through life with,” said Cullen. “We’ve made a lot of great memories together growing up.One great thing about being a triplet is I always have an interesting fact to tell someone.
“I am excited to be going into this next chapter with them!”