MADISON- For the first time in their lives, twin sisters Frances and Kamryn Knight will be headed in different directions in both educational and athletic endeavors. At a recent signing ceremony at Bob Jones, the Knights put their names on scholarship offers to further their education and athletic skills.

Frances chose to sign with Belhaven University of Jackson, Miss. while Kamryn put her name on a scholarship to attend Lemoyne-Owen University located in Memphis, Tenn. Frances was a multi-event sprinter for the Lady Patriots track team. Kamryn was a two-year team captain for the Bob Jones girl’s basketball team.

“I spent a lot of my last year in high school concentrating on my studies and sharpening my basketball skills to earn a scholarship as my mother couldn’t afford to send us to college, so I worked hard to help,” said Kamryn of her signing with the NCAA Div. II Magicians.

“Belhaven was persistent during recruiting and for me it was a good place to be as the coach seemed to care about me and their athletes, plus he spoke of what my future would be after I graduate college,” said Frances on the Belhaven Blazers, which participate in the NCAA Div. III.

The 6-foot, 180-pound Kamryn has a 4.0 grade point average and was approached by almost 20 schools after leading the Lady Patriots as a tenacious rebounder and physical presence in the Pats lineup. She wants to study mathematics and one day become an engineer.

Frances was part of three relay teams for the Patriots while also participating in the 100, 200 and 400-meter individual sprints. She was the squad’s No. 1 runner in the 400-m and began track in the eighth grade. “I took off my ninth grade season to upgrade my schoolwork and then came back at Bob Jones to earn a scholarship,” said the 5-3, 130-pound Frances who has a 3.09 grade point average and will study pre-med in college with a dream of becoming an OBGYN.

Born fraternal twins to Aylicia Smith-Knight and Willie Knight, the twins have three younger siblings ages 15, 11 and 4. Frances and Kamryn are self-described “night and day” as personalities, but are very supportive of one another and very competitive. They don’t dress alike and don’t have similar hair styles, but one aspect of their lives is certainly solid and true- they help one another.

“I used to time Frances in her sprints while she would rebound for me in my shooting workouts,” said Kamryn. “In school, we tutored each other. She would ask me for help in math while I looked to her to assist me about history.”

“Our mother was excited and very happy at our signing as she always dreamed of us going to college,” said Frances. “She would always open my mail I received from schools interested in my attending college and she would take pictures of my mail and send to me. She was always excited at the idea of college for both of us.”

“I’m proud of Frances as I was always there at track meets supporting her and she is my best friend,” added Kamryn.

“We are totally different in all aspects of twins, but we complement each other,” said Frances. “She’s my built-in best friend.”