By Jack Begin

Two years after Anna Reny broke the state record in girl’s 200-meter hurdles, she is ready to race again.

Anna is a seasoned veteran on the Cony High School girl's track team and a pivotal piece on a team that is primed to make a run for the state title in 2021. Her counterpart and twin sister, Julia Reny, is just as important to the team. Julia is a member of the defending state champion four-by-400 relay team, and she also throws javelin and runs the 400 meter individually.

As the season gets underway, they both are ready to race again. Last year was the first spring season since the pair were in sixth grade that they weren’t competing in track meets due to cancellations by COVID-19.

“It’s been way too long. We just can’t wait, and we have the chance to be a really strong team,” Anna said.

Both have little left to prove in the way of their running prowess. Championship DNA has existed in the Reny family for a number of years. Their sister Madeline Reny was a member state champion four-by-100 team in 2014 and holds a school record. Now she is helping as an assistant coach on the school's track teams. This has been a great opportunity for the sisters to experience a season together.

“She just understands us better than anyone else, and she’s been through it and knows what it takes to get better,” Julia said.

Anna and Julia have several more years of running ahead of them. Julia will be attending Thomas College in Waterville and will be on the college's division III track team. Anna is headed to the University of Southern Maine in Portland and will also be a member of the school's division III track team.

However, their focus remains entirely on this season and the potential it has to be a great one.

Both sisters have state titles to defend and the girls' track team will be going for its third straight Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference, or KVAC, championship — maybe even a state championship.

The Reny twins will take the forefront once again on a team loaded with talent. But they are no longer the "up and comers," rather the experienced champions ready to continue to show they are among the best track athletes in the state.