Finally, the Bosman twins — Cassie and Courtney — are going their separate ways.

The girls have been fixtures on the South Whidbey High School cross country and track teams for four years, delighting onlookers with their running skills while confusing them as to their identity.

“We’ve been known as the ‘twins’ all our lives,” Cassie said, to which Courtney finished, “And now we want to be known as individuals.”

Cassie, senior by 12 minutes, is planning a career as a nurse; she’s going south to attend the University of Oregon to pursue a bachelor of science degree in the fall.

Courtney is heading east to Washington State University to get her credentials with an eye to becoming an elementary school teacher.

The girls started running at Langley Middle School as a way to get exercise, then were encouraged to try out for the team. When track begins in a few weeks, both will sign up for the distance events, including the 800-meter, one- and two-mile runs.

Courtney admitted her first love is cross country. “It’s a serious sport for me because we have such a close team and I’ve always liked running into the woods behind the schools and on some of the other interesting venues where we travel,” she said.

Cassie nodded in agreement.

She also agrees that Falcon coach Doug Fulton has been a positive influence in their lives.

“He’s motivational and always tries hard to find the best ways for us to do our best,” Cassie said. “OK, sometimes he does get a little intense at those big meets he has to run. But he finds time to steer us in the right direction.”

Both feel that they’ve received a solid education in the South Whidbey school system. Teachers who have made an impression, after Fulton, include Spanish teacher Jennifer Gochenour and civics teacher Tom Kramer.

The latter noted that, after several classes, he still can’t always tell them apart.

“I have a nickname for them, ‘CB,’ which works for either one,” Kramer said. “They have similar mannerisms and voice so it seems like a mirror image. They are serious, very good students, responsible and always give their best efforts, be it on the field or in the classroom.

“They have a good sense of humor and their parents and our community should take pride in who they are and what they’ve accomplished.”

The girls have tutored Spanish to fourth-graders at the elementary school, one reason Courtney wants to teach. Another is her work in Sally Thompson’s fifth-grade class helping kids with reading and math.

“My senior project is mentoring and I plan to present it in such a way that younger high school kids will be encouraged to take it up,” Courtney said. “It’s fun and very rewarding.”

Cassie, meanwhile, is following a local nurse on home visits for her project.

As expected, life as a twin has its moments both good and bad.

“The best part is having a friend, someone to depend on or just hang out with,” Cassie said.

Nothing is perfect, however.

“People get confused, more often than not and it can get a little old,” Courtney said. “And, like all siblings, we have arguments from time to time. I like to spend more time at home, Cassie’s a bit lazier.”

They don’t always make it easy on folks, though.

Gochenour said when the girls picked special monikers for her class, their choices made things difficult.

“Just to confuse me, Cassie chose the Spanish name of ‘Carlota’ and Courtney chose ‘Catalina,’ so even when I don’t confuse their English names, I’m consistently messing up their Spanish names in class,” she joked.

But Gochenour said that the girls added the extra challenge of teaching younger kids Spanish this year.

“They are consistently positive role models for their peers and for their young students in their dedication, kindness, determination and enthusiasm,” she said.

“Their commitment to excellence in all their areas of interest is inspiring.”

Away from the track and classroom, their interests pretty much dovetail. They’re working through the “Star Wars” saga and enjoy the same taste in music, ie., anything they can dance to.

“I guess we do have the same iPod,” Cassie said, looking at her sister. They also like to hang out with good friends Caroline Habel and Christine Johnson and go snowboarding.

The girls admitted to a few pet peeves.

“I don’t like it when people overreact to small things,” Cassie said. And Courtney does her best to avoid road rage.

“When we were driving here, some bicyclists were hogging the road,” she said. “Bikers and drivers should be more courteous.”

They know they’ll miss the island, the constant support of their parents, friends, teachers and others in the community.

“But it’s time to move on,” they said, in unison.

Jeff VanDerford can be reached at 221-5300 or sports@southwhidbeyrecord.com.