Andrew Dorr remembers Abigail and Bailey Gostomski sitting in his office in Voller Athletic Center with their parents, Scott and Tracy, during a campus visit four years ago.
“I asked them ‘Are you a package deal?’” Dorr, the Director of Cross Country & Track and Field at Roberts Wesleyan College says. “They looked at each other and nodded their heads yes. What was funny was that was the first time their mother had heard that and their mom looked at them and smiled and said, ‘That’s nice to hear.’”
A short time later, Scott Gostomski returned to Dorr’s office to inform him that Roberts was his daughters’ top choice for college.
“After our visit, we both knew we really liked it and that we wanted to go here,” Bailey said.
While the academic opportunities and chance to compete on the Redhawks’ Division II athletic teams impressed the twins, one thing stood out even more: Roberts’ faith-based education.
“(Attending a Christian college) was our No. 1 priority,” Bailey said.
“I could tell that this was a place that I would grow both as a runner and also spiritually,” Abigail said.
Described as “inseparable” by Dorr, the Gostomskis have done almost everything together growing up. They even finished as class valedictorian (Abigail) and salutatorian (Bailey) with academic averages over 101 percent at Cattaraugus-Little Valley High School.
After four years as roommates and teammates, Abigail and Bailey will don their Redhawks’ cross-country uniforms one more time on Saturday at the NCAA Division II Championships in Saint Leo, Florida.
Roberts earned a trip to nationals by finishing third at the NCAA East Regional Championships on its home course, the Matt St. James Cross Country Trails on November 6. Bailey led the Redhawks with a seventh-place finish, covering the 6K course in 21:47.6 and Abigail was 11th in 22:08.9.
The Gostomskis also led the Redhawks to their consecutive East Coast Conference championship this fall. Bailey, the ECC Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year, finished first and Abigail placed fourth.
Generally quiet by nature, Abigail and Bailey played several sports while growing up in New York’s Southern Tier. While they are not the most vocal leaders, the example they set has been key for a young Redhawks team this fall.
“I think that they are reserved and mild-mannered, but it’s kind of a juxtaposition to see them race because they do have a competitive side,” Roberts assistant coach Gabrielle Bonerb, who is also a former teammate, said. “They are very dependable and consistent as runners. You can always count on them to go out and go into a race and do what they need to do.”
This fall, that meant running less. Distance running is an inexact science because each individual responds and recovers differently to their training. It took some time, but Dorr discovered that there were times the twins pushed things too hard and it would impact their performance.
“They would readily do whatever I have asked them to do and sometimes it was too much,” Dorr said. “Now, I am really able to refine the training plan that I provide them with.”
Bailey has cut about 40 seconds off of her previous best times this season and Abigail has trimmed about 25.
“Coach understood us and we understand our bodies better,” Abigail said.
This marks the third trip to nationals for both Gostomskis, but the first since 2019 as last fall’s season was canceled due to COVID.
As usual, there is a plan in place.
“We have some goals that we believe are achievable,” Dorr said. “We are going to send them out conservatively and I will tell them that I want them to be passing people in the second half of the race.”
“I’m just looking forward to having one more chance to improve my time,” Abigail said.
“I just want to race smart and get in the Top 100,” said Bailey, who placed 106th as a freshman.
Athletics isn’t the only place the Gostomskis, who have two older brothers and two younger twin sisters, have made strides while at Roberts.
“They definitely have become more confident over the years,” Bonerb said. “They have broken out of their shells as runners and as individuals.”
“I didn’t realize how much I would grow both with my running and spiritually,” Bailey said.
Although Saturday marks the end of their cross country careers at Roberts, there is more to come in both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
“I think that they are in the best shape of their lives for cross country and I am excited for them to see what’s to come in track and field,” Dorr said.
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