MADISON- At the blink of an eye, the speed of Shafi and Hanif Muhammad can cause second looks. Add the fact they are fraternal twin brothers and the Bob Jones track team has what is the heart of an expected banner 2018 track season.

Shafi, younger by 31 minutes, is currently ranked No. 1 in the state in the 800-meter indoor season after finishing third in the 2017 outdoor season. He also partakes in the 400, 1500 and 1600 meters events and is part of the 400 and 800 relay squads.

Hanif is more of a quick sprinter by concentrating on the 60, 100, 200 and 400 meters distances.

As juniors, the Muhammads are planting seeds to success with the Patriots after transferring from Sparkman High prior to their sophomore year. Both grew up as All-Star baseball players in the Monrovia area and switched to track fulltime after being invited to join the Huntsville Track Club’s youth track and field program under former Alabama A&M University and Jr. Olympics coach Joe Henderson who saw enormous natural talent in the twins. Both have exceled in the Jr. Olympics program earning All-American accolades the last three years and part of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Championships in both Orlando, Fla. and Detroit, Mich.

Shafi, 5-foot-11 and 155 pounds, and Hanif (5-8, 135) owe much of their success to their own competitive spirit that has been part of their family long before they were born. Their father, Phillip, was an outstanding athlete at Huntsville’s Butler High School and All-American offensive lineman at Middle Tennessee State University. He is a retired police officer. Their mother, Dedra, earned an athletic scholarship to run track at the University of Michigan. She currently works as a counselor at Sparkman High and is busy working towards a medical degree with sights set on becoming a physician.

Born in Huntsville, Hanif was delivered through natural childbirth, but Shafi became partially breached. Dedra’s blood pressure rose to dangerous levels and her uterus clasped tightly to Shafi causing his blood pressure to fall dramatically. The medical staff made a quick decision to rush Dedra into the operating room where Shafi was delivered by C-section. During the birth procedure, Shafi suffered a cut on his right leg giving him a scar which remains today.

“We are very close as athletes as we train together as much as possible,” said Hanif. “We help one another and having him on the same team is special.”

“I love the individual part of track and how I perform is a reflection on how much I have prepared,” said Shafi. “I loved playing both baseball and track, but slighted each sport and even suffered a couple injuries that slowed me. I work hard in practice and I believe I can do it.”

Bob Jones head track Brad Jefferson knows he has two special athletes in the twin brothers. “Safi is a coach’s dream, great kid, great attitude and definitely a team player,” added Jefferson. “We’re looking at him to do something big this indoor and outdoor seasons. Hanif adds a lot to our depth. Both are great kids and come from a great family.”

Hanif carries a 3.7 grade point average and would love to study cyber security in college. Sharif is looking at possible entry into law or astronomy with his 4.2 GPA. Both are looking to running track in college.

I’ve always been fast and I love the feeling I have throughout each race, but the 200-meter is my favorite,” said Hanif. “I say a prayer before each race and for good luck I wear one white and one black sock.”

Though not identical, the talents and heart felt desire are as similar as any brothers or teammates could ever present on the track to success.