Sibling Harmony

OTTAWA--We all have them, and if you haven’t, you have definitely heard the stories. Fights, mischief and all-around trouble are just a few of the perks of having siblings. Most people get to separate from their brother or sister after high school, but what if you didn’t?  

Moving on to college with your sibling is a strange concept to explore. Jacob and Zach Martin are all too familiar, though, as they have attended OU together for two years.  

The Martin brothers are third-generation Braves and proud of it, but joining up in college wasn’t always the plan. 

“Never did I think that I would go to school with my brother, especially because our interests vary a lot,” said Jacob, a third year student and the eldest of the two brothers. 

“Not a chance,” replied younger brother Zach, a second year Ottawa student.  

Through all of their differences, one can still see the relation between the two. Both Martins won the Top Scholars competition to receive a large scholarship, they both play for the Braves Men’s Soccer team and they are both Resident Assistants in Bennett and Martin Halls, respectively.  

Jacob found Ottawa through much searching, but due to family ties decided to continue the tradition of attending OU.  

“(On) official visits, I went to Arkansas University, Oklahoma State University, KU. Out of all the places I visited, I could tell this is the place I wanted to be,” Jacob said. He attributes his love for this storied school to the friendliness and social aspects. The small college was a good fit for him. 

Zach found that going to school with his older brother helped him acclimate more to the college lifestyle. Having that connection made him feel more comfortable and relaxed. The younger brother was actually hesitant to attend Ottawa but decided that he wanted to continue his soccer career as a Brave.  

Arguments are inevitable as we grow up, but none can be as nasty as siblings going at it. The two have enjoyed a healthy competition, but according to Zach he has “dominated” the last few years. When asked about past arguments the two had as kids, Jacob had this to say:

“Disputes as kids? I can’t remember what age, but once we got to first or second grade, we stopped. Most of the fights I just remember me sitting on him. There was one incident where his head went through a wall. He was fine; the wall was not.” 

Let’s hope that the two keep things a little more civil these days as they finish up their college careers with the rest of us on campus.