Side by Side: Sauer-Jones Brothers Reach Major Milestones This Soccer Season

Spending every waking moment with your sibling sounds like a real nightmare to many people,  but to Johnsburg Central School District students Nick and Aaden Sauer-Jones, it’s just another normal day.

Since getting involved in youth athletics years ago, Nick, a senior, and Aaden, a sophomore, have played countless sports together. School, practice, and living under one roof means there isn’t much time away from one another. Perhaps all that time together is exactly what gives them a competitive edge.

When asked if they think playing together gives their varsity soccer team an advantage, they didn’t hesitate to answer. 

“Oh, 100%,” Aaden said. “He protects the goal; I go and shoot on the other one.”

They may not be telepathic, but after spending so many years practicing and competing together, they might as well be. 

“A big thing in sports is communication,” Nick said. “We always know what the other is thinking.”

The brothers are so connected, in fact, they both hit significant athletic milestones this season, merely games apart. Nick, the team goalie, hit 400 career saves. Just a few weeks later, Aaden hit 100 career points; an impressive feat as a sophomore.

“It really snuck up on me,” Nick said. “I didn’t think I was that close. Hitting 300 [saves] last year was a big deal, but I think being able to get another 100 under my belt was a relief for me, knowing I went out strong, and then Aaden followed me with 100 points, and I thought, ‘Wow, we are really well-rounded.’”

It isn’t just brotherhood that got them this far. Each athlete had three people to thank for helping them achieve their athletic goals. Aaden appreciates social studies teacher and former soccer player Russell Moro for taking the time to guide him when he gets stuck, Coach Aaron Chambers for helping him keep his head in the game, and his father, Jake Sauer-Jones, for seeing his potential and encouraging him to pursue athletics in the first place.

Nick gave a shoutout to former Assistant Coach Rob Wing for teaching him everything he knows about the sport, Peter Oleshinski for introducing him to the world of goalkeeping, and Coach Aaron Chambers for giving him the opportunity. During his first year, it was between Nick and another player to be goalie. Chambers eventually landed on Nick—a decision that would change his high school athletic career. 

“I got to show what I could do and sometimes that’s what it takes, is a chance,” Nick said.

A chance always comes with a little hope—something the boys say is integral to success in sports. Soccer has taught them to be dedicated and to commit to their obligations in every area of life, but it has also taught them to never give up hope. After losing two contentious games against Schroon Lake this season, the team was gearing up for another contest against the outstanding competitors. 

“In the semifinals we didn’t count ourselves out,” Aaden said. “We got together, we scored a goal, we held them there, and we won.”

The Johnsburg-Minerva varsity boys soccer team made it to finals this year, a first for the team. Although they didn’t take home the win, the athletes were grateful for the opportunity to perform on the field one more time in such a pivotal game. With Nick off to college next year and the season coming to a close, what’s next for the Sauer-Jones brothers? Basketball season, of course. 

“I want to hit 1,000 rebounds this season,” Nick said. 

With his brother on the team to assist, there’s no telling what they’ll achieve.