t is said that everyone has a twin out there somewhere, but for Andy and Scott Johnson, Hedgesville juniors, they don't have to wonder who it is. Even though the doctors would not tell their parents whether they were identical or fraternal, it is easy to see how much the two look alike. "The doctors told our parents it would be better if we didn't know," said Scott, a secondary education major. "That way, we would be raised with different identities." "Our parents never made us dress alike when we were younger," said Andy, a biology major. "We still don't have any desire to wear the same clothes." The Johnsons are both members of the track team, and they have a long history with running. "We've been running and competing since grade school," Andy said. The twins were members of the 1995 Hedgesville High School state championship track team, and they still share the 4x800-meter relay state record (7:51). Competitiveness is a word the Johnsons know all too well. "We've always been competitive with each other," Scott said. "But it's fun and it makes us better," Andy added. The Johnsons do remember a time in high school when their father thought their competitiveness was taken a bit too far. "We would go running together, and we'd come back so exhausted that our dad wanted to know why," Andy said. "It was always because we would start racing no matter what­ even if it was supposed to be an easy run." "It got so bad that our dad wouldn't allow us to run together anymore," Scott said. The twins had to run at separate times, but that didn't help out either, they remember. "We'd always time ourselves and then compare the times when we got back," Andy said. "So, our dad took our watches away, and we weren't allowed to wear them anymore. That seemed to solve the problem." Beyond their competitive nature, the twins do share a bond. "It's not like we set aside best friend time or anything," Andy said. "But we are always there for each other." Looking so much alike doesn't seem to bother the two. "If people don't really know us, they do tend to confuse us," Andy said. "But we're used to it," Scott added. "It also easier to tell us apart now because Andy has gained a few pounds," Scott jokes. The twins also have different personalities that make them easier to tell apart as well. "All twins have a 'mean one' and a 'nice one,' " Andy said. "Apparently I've gotten the wrap for being the 'mean one,' " Andy jokes. "But I'm getting nicer." Although both the Johnsons have been competing as middle distance runners on the track team for the past two years, Andy has now been training for the decathlon. With their running talents, the twins have seen some success at the university level. In 1997, Andy was All-Southern Conference in the 4x400- meter relay, and Scott has been All-Conference in the distance medley relay in both the Southern Conference and the MAC (Mid-American Conference). Scott is also president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and received an academic honorable mention in the MAC this year. With school and track, the Johnsons find little free time. But when they do find a few spare minutes, they both enjoy camping, fishing and hiking, Andy said. Considering how much the Johnsons look alike, they surely must have pulled pranks or jokes on other people. "We've never really pulled any big pranks," Scott said. "The only time I can remember was in grade school," Andy said. "It was the last day of school and we switched places." Not only do the twins look alike, but they also like most of the same things. They both love "The Simpsons", always root for the underdog and eat tuna every day for lunch. From day one, the Johnsons have lived together. After leaving home for college, they lived in the dorms for two years. They now reside in "The Big Green House" (track house) with three other team members. "Who knows where we'll end up after we graduate," Scott said. "It would be nice to be able to live near each other, but it will be difficult. We both have to consider our careers, and we'll have to take our opportunities as they come," Andy said. "People are always asking us what it's like to be a twin," Scott said. "But how can we answer that. We don't know what it's like to not be a twin." "It's normal for us," Andy said. "And we wouldn't want it any other way."

by CASSIUS HARRIS reporter

A new style of martial arts is taking place in Gullickson Hall. This style of martial arts combines dance and combat. The style is Capoeira. The Marshall University Capoeira Club meets Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Fridays at 5:30 p.m. in Gullickson Hall, said Marcos Ferreira, instructor of the Capoeira Club. Class attendance ranges from 10-20 students of all ages, he said. "Our objective has been able to create a club that is beneficial to the culture and physical fitness of Marshall University," Ferreira said. Ferreira explained that Capoeira is a Brazilian form of martial arts. Its roots are tied to modern day Angola, he said. Capoeira blends elements of dance, music, rituals, acrobatics and fighting, Ferreira said. "Students, from all walks of life, have an opportunity to view and participate in an international art form," Ferreira said. Chris Brady, Buckhannon freshman, said, "I like it because it helps me get in shape and gives me something to concentrate on." Sean Ford, Buckhannon freshman, said, "It's good exercise for anybody and great for staying in shape." Native Brazilians call Capoeira a game because it is "played," not fought, Ferreira said. The students from a circle during Capoeira called roda. While music plays, everyone sings and claps. The leading instrument is a one stringed bow-shaped instrument cal-led a berimbau, he said. Along with the berimbau is a drum called an atabaque and a pandeiro (tamborine). "The players play depending on the speed of the music," Ferreira said. Ferreira said Capoeira is a martial art developed in Brazil by slaves who were not permitted to practice the martial arts. They had to disguise it as a dance, instead, he said. Capoeira appeared to be a harmless dance, but the dancers or "Capoeiristas" were practicing deadly fighting techniques. Theat need to be disguised, and the trickery is what separates Capoeira from other styles of martial arts, he said. Most of the kicks and movements can be seen in other art forms, but the difference is delivery, Ferreira said. There are many deceiving movements that make it different from other styles of martial arts, he said. Like many other forms of martial arts such as Karate and Tae Kwon Do, belt color determines the level of the player. Yellow is the lowest, orange is second, green is third, blue is fourth, purple is fifth, brown is sixth and red is the highest, Ferreira said. Instead of belts, the Capoeiristas wear a chord that is tied around their waist and it runs down the side of their leg, Ferreira said. More information may be obtained by contacting Marcos Ferreira at 529-0663.