Twin sisters Arrington and Braylyn Sparks are making a name for themselves on the women’s
soccer team at Fairmont State University. Hailing from Philip Barbour High School in Philippi
West Virginia, the duo brings a unique mix of skill, teamwork, and friendship to college soccer.
Since they arrived at Fairmont State, both Braylyn and Arrington have shown how dedicated
they are to soccer, but they each have their own style of play. Braylyn, an attacker, has been
particularly impressive, taking 25 shots on goal as a freshman, her strong playing style and
scoring ability making her an important player for the team. In contrast, Arrington plays a
supportive role and has taken 11 shots this season. Even though their stats are different, both
sisters play a big part in helping the team.
When asked what inspired them to play soccer at Fairmont State, Arrington said, “I chose to play
soccer at Fairmont State because of the welcoming environment and team values. More
specifically, I wanted the Division II lifestyle because of the ability to better balance my sport’s
engagements along with my schooling.”
Reflecting on the transition from high school to college soccer, Arrington shared, “It was a
challenging transition at first, but once I trained at the collegiate level for a few weeks and
adapted to the busier schedule (trainings, lifting, film, etc.), I have been able to watch myself
grow into a true ‘college soccer player.’ I look forward to continuing that growth as I train at this
level the next four years.” Braylyn also expressed her excitement and the challenges they faced.
“The transition between high school and college soccer was a difficult challenge, but it was so
worth it. The biggest challenge has been the speed of play and physicality.”
Being twins has its advantages on the field, as the sisters have a natural understanding of each
other’s playing styles. Arrington noted, “I think playing with my twin sister has always helped
me as an athlete. We have both held one another accountable and pushed each other to be the
best players we could be. We both share the same competitive spirit, which I believe leads to
most of our success. One of our biggest advantages is knowing each other really well as players
considering we’ve grown up competing with one another.”
Arrington also shared her thoughts on being a student-athlete at Fairmont State. “My favorite
thing about being a student-athlete at Fairmont State is the school support. The way that
everyone shows up for everyone and the constant encouragement is something very special that
you might not get at a bigger school.”
As they continue their freshman year at Fairmont State, Arrington and Braylyn Sparks are
excited about the future. With Braylyn’s offensive prowess and Arrington’s skillful play, the
sisters are sure to leave a lasting impact on the program. Their dedication and passion for the
game not only inspire their teammates, but also the entire Fairmont State community.
