Denneys Push Each Other To New Heights This Season

Sullivan’s Abram and Mariah Denney have gained a reputation this past year as the most feared brother-sister duo in Missouri high school sports. The two siblings made waves in cross country during the fall and track in the spring and are known as some of the toughest athletes to compete against. 

They were both honored at the Four Rivers track and field competition on Apr. 29. Junior Abram was named the boys’ athlete of the meet, and freshman Mariah was selected for the girls. 

Their success is driven by their competitive nature and how much they push one another to their greatest ability. Abram mentored Mariah in her rookie year and helped adapt her to the high school level. He explained, “The main way I push Mariah is through helping her think through and rationalize race/training strategies and body maintenance. She provides the drive and desire to make every aspect of her performance as an athlete better, and I just try to guide that to the right place.”

When asked about how their training goes together, Abram described it as, “There has always been—and always will be—competition between Mariah and I in isometric holds. Whenever doing something like a squat hold or plank, we always try to last longer than each other. Not only does this provide a good workout, but it helps me to try to push to be the best I can in all areas of my athletics.”

As the Denneys still have one more year together in high school, the boys and girls in their area, district and conference will still have to watch out for their fierce competitive spirit.