Johnston twins better together

Ryan Johnston hardly had time to slurp his Corn Flakes before heading for Cereal City. It was 4 a.m. when he realized how much homework, lounging – everything – took a backseat to supporting his brother.

It was 4 a.m. on a Friday last May when Johnston groggily split driving shifts with his aunt en route to Battle Creek, Mich., home of Kellogg's and Post and the the world's longest breakfast table. The only attraction in their eyes, though, was Sean Johnston – Ryan's identical twin – and the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics nationals.

"I thought to myself, 'You know what, I'll go,'" Ryan Johnston said. "It's something I shouldn't miss."

Johnston needed a change of heart to leave St. Charles then, upset after missing the qualifying cut by seven-tenths of a point. This year, the St. Charles North junior nailed it without incident and will compete at next week's nationals in Cincinnati, representing the St. Charles Gymnastics Academy.

Sean, too.

Gretchen Johnston thinks that could spell bad news for the rest of the field. The former Addison Trail and Illinois State gymnast knows a thing or two about her sons after watching them on the mat since they were 2.

"They show that connection all the time. They need each other to do well," she said.

North needs them, too, considering the Johnstons comprise half the school's four-member varsity roster, but the boys recently were forced to make a choice. IHSA sectionals conflict with Junior Olympics nationals this spring, so barring a switcheroo out of "Sister, Sister," the twins couldn't be in both places.

Without hesitating – and with the blessing of North Stars coach Tom Wirth, who holds the same role for the Academy – they decided.

"For the kind of exposure they want, they need to be at nationals for that," Wirth said. "That's where most of the recruiters are going to be, and that's where they belong."

Wirth plans to be in Cincinnati, too, as North will not compete at sectionals this year.

West Point and Air Force tendered scholarship offers to Sean Johnston at Battle Creek, accelerating his thoughts about the recruiting process. Johnston counts Illinois, Iowa State and Oklahoma among his target schools, while his brother lists Illinois and Illinois-Chicago.

"It would be cool if we both went to the U of I," Sean Johnston said.

Pairing up at college would seem par for the course. The Johnstons, who stopped sharing a bedroom in the sixth grade, estimate they train together at the Academy for 18 hours a week in addition to their part-time work there.

Between workouts, coaching children and assisting with birthday parties, "they're rock stars at that place," said their father, Gary.

The next stop is the Duke Energy Center in downtown Cincinnati. The twins and their parents will leave Tuesday for what projects as a weeklong slate of events if either qualifies for any of the Level 10 event finals on Sunday.

Wirth says both Johnstons are equally effective in the floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar. It's been that way for as long as he can remember.

"Gymnastics are something we both share," Sean Johnston said. "Something we both love."