The Kusick twins were only in the fifth grade at High Point Elementary School at the time, but Tim Haynie could tell a couple of wrestlers when he saw them.
Even though they had on boxing gloves.
Mike and Marty Kusick were pummeling each other in their backyard while their parents were staging an anniversary party inside that was attended by Haynie, coach of the Buccaneers Athletics recreation program in Pasadena.
"He asked us to join the team," Marty said.
The Kusicks took it from there. Today, as they plunge into their senior season at Northeast, Mike and Marty are seeking their third straight Class 1A-2A state championships. Mike won at 112 and 119, Marty at 103 and 112.
The Kusicks have had a significant impact on Northeast wrestling. The Eagles have finished fourth, first and second in the state the past three seasons after an 11th the year before they arrived.
"They're just two kids and there are 13 classes," coach Al Kohlhafer said, reluctant to create the impression that the Kusicks alone have pulled up Northeast. "But they have instilled in a lot of kids their great desire. They work hard and they win. The other kids see this and want to be like them.
"I have them demonstrating, so they have provided a certain amount of leadership. Their aggressiveness and work ethic rub off."
Like many identical twins, the Kusicks berate each other, but neither will tolerate criticism of the other by an outsider. They work out together most of the time and sometimes tempers flare.
"It's hard for us to score on each other and that becomes frustrating," said Mike, the older twin by two minutes. "First thing you know an elbow, ahem, slips. Then the other guy starts punching."
Said Marty: "If he beats on me so many times, I get mad and throw punches."
Since they never hurt each other, Kohlhafer watches the yelling and punching with amusement.
"It may not seem like brotherly love, but it is," Kohlhafer said. "You can sense it. As quickly as the fighting starts, it stops and they're back together practicing again. I dread to think what would happen if anyone else tried to pick on one of them."
The Kusicks also routinely berate each other after matches. Each offers the other a critique, usually unwanted.
"I'll yell, telling him what he did wrong -- which he already knows," Marty said. "He just wants me to go away: 'Get out of my face!' "
Kohlhafer's expectations of the Kusicks this season don't stop with a third straight state championship for each. He wants them continue to improve their grades to make them even more appealing to college recruiters. Both have personal-best 3.0 grade point averages this semester.
"They were struggling before," Kohlhafer said. "Colleges were calling and they sensed the need to do well in class. I expect that to continue."
Among the highlights on the road to the state tournament will be a confrontation with Todd Beckerman, De Matha's two-time national prep champion, in the Arundel Invitational Tournament Jan. 13-14.
But who will take on Beckerman this time? Marty was No. 1 in the Maryland State Wrestling Association's preseason rankings at 119 and Beckerman and Mike were Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, at 125.
Beckerman has lost only once in his high school career, to Marty, 8-7, two years ago. Beckerman avenged that defeat last year. Now it appears to be Mike's turn.
"It'll be a good match, but I think my brother is too physical for him," Marty said. "I think he'll beat him."
Said Mike: "I'm looking to win. I think I've got a pretty good shot."
Meanwhile, the Kusicks continue their rampage. Last weekend, they became only the second and third wrestlers to win four straight Cougar Invitational (Chesapeake) titles, joining Mount St. Joe's Paul Scott.