Sisters to race for Jags

Savannah Sutton and her twin sister, Shelby, entered the world at nearly the same time. Unfortunately for the athletics department at Augusta State University, it couldn't assign one scholarship to both of them.

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The Evans cross country runners signed Thursday to run for coach Adam Ward and the Jaguars.

"They're my babies, they're the last of five (children)," said their mother, Kim Sutton. "Just like they came in, they're finishing with a bang."

The fraternal twins were joined by friends and teammates in the Evans media center for pizza and plenty of photo opportunities.

Knights coach Mike Lennox addressed the group before Savannah and Shelby signed.

"They really added some personality to this team," Lennox said.

Then, he had a warning as the group headed for the refreshment tables.

"Don't eat a lot," he said. "You still have workouts to do."

Lennox, who coached the two girls for the first time this season after taking a year off, said the pair would be missed. Savannah was the Knights' No. 2 runner, and Shelby alternated between the third and fifth spots.

Both girls, Lennox said, went out of their way to help younger runners.

And both ran for just two seasons, meaning Ward will have some potential to work with.

Until recently, the sisters weren't planning to run in college. Shelby, it was understood, was going wherever Savannah decided.

Before receiving an offer from Ward, it appeared the pair was headed to the University of Georgia.

Plans changed.

"It's great," Savannah said. "I've been really worried about the year. But finally I was just like, 'You know what, I'm going to do it.' It feels great."

The Sutton family moved to the area from Tennessee two years ago. Kim's parents, John and Judy Thompson, drove down to see their grandchildren sign.

Savannah and Shelby ignored their coach's advice and filled up on cake and pizza.

"It's going to be a shame losing them, but life goes on," Lennox said. "We'll get some more (runners) we can get scholarships for."