BELGRADE – There will be plenty more time for sister bonding for twins Nicole and Brooke Gilbertson of Belgrade. The two have signed to play college sports at Miles Community College. Nicole will be on the rodeo team and Brooke will be competing in rodeo and volleyball.
“It would be weird without her. But to be able to go there for two more years and to have her with me to go to college while I’m doing what I love, I think that will be a great experience,” said Brooke.
All that was left to do was sign their names on a national letter of intent to seal the deal.
“God just answered a prayer. And to put them together and to give them the opportunity to have the passion that they love,” said their mother, Traci. “And now they both get to team up.”
But Nicole, a barrel racer and pole bender, didn’t think the opportunity to compete at the next level was in her cards.
“I was just planning on going to Montana State and I just didn’t think a college would want me,” she said. “I’m excited to continue my journey with rodeo. And I didn’t think this would happen, so I’m really excited that it did.”
Brooke’s volleyball talents were discovered by Miles Community College at the state volleyball tournament in Bozeman. She’s going to be busy as a two-sport collegiate athlete.
“I’ve always been separated from rodeo for a while, so I’ve always been kind of missing that because I am in love with horses. So for me to do volleyball, but also (MCC head rodeo coach) Walley Badgett letting me do rodeo is just fantastic,” Brooke said.
And now you may see the Gilbertson twins competing together in Pioneer uniforms.
“We practice roping together, so hopefully that’s in our future,” smiled Brooke.
“Hopefully Miles City will do that,” Nicole eagerly agreed.
For two more years, the twins will once again be inseparable and are even planning on rooming together their freshman year.
“They have each other’s back and that’s what I’m most proud of,” Traci said. “As much as they have their own competitiveness, they really are supporting of one another and you couldn’t ask for any better.”
