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The Defendini twins know how to win.
Separated by just one minute at birth, Jackson and Lily are natural-born leaders and a one-of-a-kind set of senior siblings, each captain of their respective teams at Farmingdale High School.
Lily captains the swim and dive team, while Jackson leads the lacrosse team he’s played varsity for since freshman year and is also challenging himself by suiting up for varsity football for the first time this fall.
“There are nine periods in our school day — and we had eight of them together,” Lily, a talented sprinter, told The Post of their academic schedules most years.
“I think that we were able to push each other just by the close proximity,” added the older twin.
The 17-year-olds — also talented skiers who spend almost every winter weekend on the slopes with their 82-year-old grandpa, Charles — have been in each other’s corner since Day 1.
They have always found ways to push one another and lend a hand by playing to their unique strengths, especially as Jackson and Lily narrowed down to one or two sports to pursue seriously in middle school.
“He also pushed me a lot in the gym. I was not a frequent gym-goer. He would bring me down to our basement, where we have some gym equipment, and he’d make me lift until I probably couldn’t even lift a pencil,” Lily said.
Jackson, a lacrosse midfielder and a football edge rusher and tight end, calls Lily his academic motivator, who helps him study for challenging advanced placement courses.
“We always have books out everywhere — just getting homework done and eating dinner at the same time,” he said.
Sure, there were some growing pains in the early years, but Jackson and Lily used their uncanny bond to rise above their challenges.
“Going into freshman year, with all the love in the world, you were a bit of a mess,” Lily said to her brother, “but watching you become the leader, the motivator that you are today has been an absolute honor in my life.”
From “C” to sea
Their years of having a devout work ethic have led to high aspirations after graduating in green and white in 2027. Jackson was inspired by a Midshipman neighbor to apply to the United States Naval Academy.
“I really want to give back, and I feel like the skills I’ve learned throughout high school, I can definitely give back,” he said.
“After, I’d like to extend an extra five years in serving this nation and to give back what it’s given me in my 17 years of being alive. I really appreciate everything that’s happened in my life.”
Like her brother, Lily also wants to stay in the water for college and keep swimming.
“I want to swim no matter what, even if I can’t compete at the Division I level or Division II level. I would pursue Division III,” she said. “Even if I couldn’t do that, I would do club. I just love swimming. I love the community it’s given me.”
Two for two
Now the Defendini twins want to end high school in style, as Lily hopes to put up some of her best numbers yet in the pool — she’s already boasted a 59.37-second 100-yard freestyle — and Jackson wants to take the 4-1 football team to the Nassau County title.
He decided to play his senior year to be part of longtime beloved coach Buddy Krumenacher’s final season.
“The stories I’ve heard growing up from freshman year. … I knew I had to give it at least one year with him,” Jackson said. “It’s been an amazing year.”
Jackson and Lily have made peace with the likelihood that their lives will go in very different directions next year, but they feel branching out is the right thing to do.
“I think it’s also important that we each go off on our own journey too. And then, obviously, when it’s all done … and we’re both settled, we’re both definitely going to come back to each other and be there for each other,” Jackson added.
“It’s really just great having a twin sister in high school. I wish everyone could have it. It’s a blessing.”