Brother and Sister having Stellar Careers at Cox
When it comes to sibling rivalries, there aren’t many that compare to the Allosso’s. Dakota and Kiley, a senior and sophomore respectively, both star as three sport athletes at Cox. The competition between brother and sister is so fierce, that practically everything one accomplishes, the other tries to top.
“I compete with Dakota in everything,” said Kiley. “Sometimes we’ll go sprint in the back yard just to see who’s faster.”
They even compete for who gets the best grades. Dakota has maintained a 3.7 GPA throughout high school, but Kiley plans on toppling that record. So far she has made principals list two of her three semesters in high school.
“Oh yeah, I’ll get better grades than Dakota,” said Kiley. “I won’t let him beat me in schoolwork.”
Dakota plays football, soccer and wrestles; Kiley; field hockey, soccer and basketball. To say this brother-sister combination got an early start in sports is an understatement. Dakota’s first gift from mom and dad wasn’t a rattle or stuffed animal, but a football. Kiley says she’s played every sport imaginable since she could walk.
“When Dakota was a little guy I bought him a yellow tackling dummy and called it Big Bird,” said father Steve Allosso, Cox football coach. “He was only two or three, but I’d set him in a three point stance and have him fire out into the dummy.”
A wealth of experience in sports allowed Dakota and Kiley to gain varsity playing time early in high school, regularly capturing starting positions.
In football, Dakota started at quarterback during his sophomore season, and was the team’s leading tackler as a senior captain. This winter at 171 pounds, he won the most matches of anyone in the wrestling state tournament. Last spring Dakota helped the boys soccer team make a push deep into the postseason playing sweeper.
Kiley made an immediate impact when she entered Cox as a freshman. Earning a varsity spot in every sport she tried out for, Kiley even started games in field hockey and soccer her rookie season.
“Kiley is a competitor,” said Julie Swain, Cox field hockey coach. “She’s played soccer for a long time, and I think that helped her in field hockey. I hardly ever have any freshman make varsity, much less start.”
Having an older brother already in high school didn’t hurt either. Kiley followed Dakota’s example, relying on hard work and determination.
“I’ve learned a lot about sports from Dakota,” Kiley said. “He is always working out, never taking breaks during the summer. Even though he’s 5-8, he knows he’ll work harder than the rest. His heart is what makes him successful.”
Dakota believes he has helped his little sister with the mental side of high school.
“In some ways I think my dad can be too hard on Kiley, so I come in and try to pick her up and give her some confidence back,” said Dakota. “I can also help with homework and boyfriend problems. She has someone she can always find when she needs help.”
Juggling three sports puts unique demands on Dakota and Kiley. Every sport has different training programs and skill sets, with many teammates training year round in only one area.
“The hardest part about playing three sports is forming unity with different teammates,” said Dakota. “When you’re always jumping from sport to sport it can be hard to keep close with everyone.”
Competing in numerous sports does have its advantages, however. Both agree that cross training with different sports has improved them as overall athletes. “Playing different sports helps your all-around agility and body movements,” Dakota said. “It also keeps you in shape all year long.”
Dakota knows all of the commitment, time and effort put into sports will help him long after he leaves the field. This is why he committed to play football at Holy Cross next year. “Sports have laid the foundation for good attributes in my life,” he said, “which I think will help me find a good job and work my way to the top.”
Little sister feels the same way, but she hasn’t decided which sport she plans to play after high school.
“I’ll probably choose which sport I’ll play in college next year,” she said, “but I don’t like playing just one.”
One thing is for sure. A brother-sister tandem like this one doesn’t come around too often.
Dakota was recently named the Male Athlete of the Year at Cox.
