Middlesboro seniors Scotty and Josh Overbay both signed their letters of intent to run track for the University of the Cumberlands on Monday afternoon in the Middlesboro High School cafeteria, surrounded by family, friends and teammates.

Josh and Scotty’s father, Scott Overbay, serves as the Middlesboro High School women’s basketball coach. Overbay is surprised that both chose track and both chose to attend the same school.

“I’m a little surprised that they both signed for track,” said Scott. “They’ve both grown up playing basketball their whole lives. They didn’t start running track until they got into high school, but they both took to it quickly. Both of them have an unreal work ethic and they will be successful no matter what they do, as long as they keep that motivation and dedication. They’ve worked hard and improved over time to get themselves in this position, and we couldn’t be more proud of them.”

With both brothers signing to the same school, they get to continue competing in events together like they have since they were young.

“I was thinking they were going to separate from one another a little bit,” said Scott. “They’ve basically been joined at the hip their whole lives. I was thinking they were going to branch out on their own a little bit more. I honestly thought one of them would end up at Western Kentucky University, but they decided to both go to the University of the Cumberlands after coach offered them both to come run for them. It’s just really huge for our family, it’s absolutely wonderful.”

Josh and Scotty’s step-mother, Mary Overbay, is pleased that the two chose the University of the Cumberlands.

“I am ready for some traveling time,” said Mary. “We really liked how close-knit the campus was. The campus also isn’t too big, it takes 10 minutes to get from one side of it to the other. It’s absolutely beautiful up there. After we spoke to the coach, we felt like that was definitely the best place for the boys, and they seemed to agree. They loved it there as much as we did. We are thankful that they are staying so close to home so that we will be able to go watch them run; together.”

Middlesboro track coach Luke Gilly sees a bright future for Scotty and Josh. “Both of them are super talented individuals,” said Gilly. “They’re probably some of the hardest working kids that I have ever been around. They have wonderful personalities and provide wonderful leadership for the team. I think the University of the Cumberlands are getting two phenomenal athletes. They’re both very hard workers, and they both have extreme God-given abilities. I think they’re going to do a great job at the University of the Cumberlands. They’re both willing to do anything they need to do to be successful.”

The competition seems to be the driving force for the Overbay brothers.

“I love the competition,” said Josh. “I love competing against anyone in anything.”

“The competition is always fun,” said Scotty. “We’ve been lucky enough to have each other to compete against as well.”

“We won the district in basketball together this season. We run some relays and stuff together too, and we usually do well in those events. It’s awesome having my brother there with me for everything.” said Josh. “We’ve always pushed one another and try to help the other get to where they need to be.”

The Overbay brothers felt at home right away at the University of the Cumberlands.

“They were very welcoming when we went to visit,” said Josh. “The coach talked to us and took us out to eat and everything, we really enjoyed and appreciated everything he did. We really like the way they run things out there, we feel like we can fit in.”

With a major in fitness and sports management, Josh hopes to follow in his dad’s footsteps and become a coach. Although Scotty is unsure of his major, he wants to coach as well.

“I want to coach, so I have to figure out what I want to major in,” said Scotty. “But, I’m 100 percent sure I want to coach.”

“Hopefully after we graduate college, we can get a year or two of experience under our dad and take-off and become a head coach somewhere,” said Josh. “We both want to coach, and follow in our dad’s footsteps.”