Affolder brothers break the tape 3,000 miles apart
By Mary Albl for DyeStat
Two pictures emerged Saturday.
One shows Noah Affolder with his eyes nearly shut and tongue sticking out. His facial expression is one of pure joy as he crossed the finish line in first place in the men’s junior 6-kilometer race at the Great Edinburgh XCountry International Challenge in Scotland.
The other shows younger sibling Sam Affolder with his biceps flexed as he won the U.S. Army Hispanic Games invitational boys mile at The Armory in New York.
Separated by more than 3,000 miles, the Affolder boys from Carlisle PA each got a big win.
"I was pretty happy for him," Noah said of his younger brother. "I thought it was pretty cool."
Noah, who is committed to run for Syracuse, said he and Sam talked for just a few minutes Saturday, saving the details of the conversation until he returned from Scotland the next day. From Pennsylvania, the family watched the highlight video from the morning race in Edinburgh and then saw the webcast of Sam’s race later in the afternoon.
Both Noah and Sam, a sophomore, had the chance to revel in some of the patriotism that surrounded their events. Their father, Jason, has a career in the Army and their mom, Brandyn, is a former Army reservist.
"Yeah, it was a big deal, especially for me getting to wear the USA jersey," Noah said. "I know my dad and the rest of my family, they were proud to see me wear it. It's such a high honor."
Noah won the 6-kilometer race in 19 minutes, 29 seconds to become the first American junior men’s champion in Scotland since Oklahoma State freshman Kirubel Erassa in 2012.
"I really wasn’t expecting the win because there were just so many good guys," Noah said. "I guess the race just played out in my favor toward the end. I was fortunate enough to win."
Sam won the mile race in 4:19.96 and punched his ticket to the NYRR Millrose Games high school boys mile. He also came home with a U.S. Army-inspired medal.
Most of all, it was a unique opportunity for the Affolder brothers to display their running talents and pride for their country on both national and international levels.
"I think my dad was proud," Noah said. "I think he's proud a lot, he just doesn't show it. And he kind of showed it this weekend."
