Amanda and Hana Moll share nearly everything: The identical twins are both sophomores in the University of Washington Foster School of Business, both star members of UW Track & Field, both NCAA record-breaking pole vaulters. Perhaps most miraculously, they also share in the other’s success — a win for one Moll, and there have been plenty this season alone, is a win for them both.
“Our relationship is unique in that our competitiveness doesn’t outweigh the love and support we have for one another,” Amanda says. “We’ve been developing this relationship since we were babies.”
Hana adds, “We’ve also reframed our definition of success when we’re working together. We both do well when one of us comes out on top.”
Hana Moll defied gravity during her record-breaking outdoor jump at the NCAA championship in June.
The Moll sisters have been smashing records since becoming high school prodigies in their hometown of Olympia. In their second year on the Husky track team, Amanda set the indoor pole-vaulting record four times — including clearing 16 feet, which only four Americans have accomplished previously. “That moment is hard to put into words,” she says. “I was just kind of in disbelief, because I knew I could do it, but I didn’t know I could do it then. I was kind of in awe of myself.” That final jump actually happened after the meet was over, so it was just her team watching. They dogpiled her on the pitch.
The Moll sisters were born into a family of proud Huskies; their dad, Eric, was a rower at the UW.
Our relationship is unique in that our competitiveness doesn’t outweigh the love and support we have for one another.
When the weather warms, pole vaulting moves outdoors, and that’s where Hana set her own collegiate record at the NCAA championship in June, topping 15 feet, 8.5 inches. After a year mostly coming in just behind her sister, Hana took the spotlight. “I’m so happy for her,” Amanda says. “She had been working hard all season, and she was finally able to show that.” (Read more about Amanda’s and Hana’s accomplishments.)
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Hana Moll
Hana brought home the W during the NCAA championship in Eugene, Oregon.
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Amanda Moll
Amanda, herself a record-breaker this year, finished third.
Their incredible skill could take them pro, but Hana and Amanda say they see the value in continuing their education first. Plus, they chose the UW for its balance of academics and athletics, and they appreciate training with such a close-knit team, which they wouldn’t have access to if they trained on their own. That said, they’ve got their eyes set first on the world championships in Tokyo this fall, and the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028 — a year after graduation, conveniently.
Whatever the future, the Moll sisters are in it as a team. “Obviously, on the day of a competition, we each want to be the winner,” Hana says, “but I think having an image together is more important than anything.”
Story by Chelsea Lin // Photos courtesy of UW Athletics and the Molls
This year, Amanda Moll became the first college woman, and fourth American ever, to clear 16 feet in the indoor pole vault.
