The color crimson connects them, even across 700 miles. For Kamila and Natalia Pawlak, the shared hue of their gymnastics leotards represents a bond that transcends the rivalry between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
As of , February 6, 2026, the sisters are navigating their collegiate careers at opposing SEC schools, a unique situation born from a lifelong shared passion for gymnastics. Kamila is a freshman at Oklahoma, while Natalia is a senior at Alabama.
A Family Affair
Gymnastics isn’t just a sport for the Pawlak sisters; it’s a family legacy. Growing up in Melissa, Texas, the pair were immersed in the discipline from a young age. What began as shared playtime evolved into a family experience woven into the fabric of their daily lives. Their mother, Anna, eventually took on the role of coach.
“We would have family handstand contests in the living room and somehow my mom would beat us both,” Natalia said. “If Kamila was at my meets one weekend, I was at one of hers the next weekend. And bless my dad’s heart – he knows nothing about gymnastics, so he was just along for the ride the whole time. I feel like we really did grow closer as a family. It was one thing we could all share and talk about.”
Natalia, three years Kamila’s senior, always served as a role model. As she progressed through the levels, Kamila was never far behind, constantly observing and emulating her older sister.
“I feel like there wasn’t ever really a time that it was just me,” Natalia explained. “By the time I was competing at a compulsory level, I could see her in the back gym, in the preschool gym. I would glance over and she’s doing back tucks on the trampoline, and she was probably four years old. I don’t think there’s ever a time that I remember it being just me.”
Kamila, in turn, drew inspiration from Natalia’s dedication. Every milestone her sister achieved fueled Kamila’s own ambition.
“I remember when I was like 6 years old and she started Saturday practices, I was so jealous,” Kamila shared. “My dad would bring me into the gym sometimes so I could watch her and I couldn’t wait to join her and start Saturday practices with her.”
As they matured, their mother became their coach, a dynamic that presented its own challenges.
“She started coaching me when I was a level 7,” Kamila said. “It was kind of hard when I was younger to balance her being my mom and my coach, but as I got older, I learned she’s doing it because she loves me and everything. When I got older, I got to enjoy everything with her by my side.”
Natalia consciously avoided placing expectations on Kamila, wanting her sister to discover her own path and cultivate a genuine love for the sport. However, Kamila readily admits to looking up to Natalia, adopting her work ethic as a blueprint for her own career.
“I’m a little bit more stressed out than she is,” the younger Pawlak shared. “She taught me to take a deep breath during competitions and to have fun in those stressful moments. She taught me how to have fun in every situation and enjoy every moment and kind of learn to not take everything so seriously. I’ve truly grown so much from watching her through the sport.”
Natalia expressed unwavering confidence in Kamila’s potential.
“Nothing about her really surprises me,” Natalia shared. “I know her work ethic. I know how much she loves gymnastics. The year that she won the Nastia (Liukin Cup) and I was in the crowd watching her was probably the biggest moment. I was like, “Wow, this kid is going somewhere.” I think that was the first moment I realized she was going to be amazing.”
A Shared Journey, Separate Paths
Despite both sisters now competing in the Southeastern Conference, their paths to this point weren’t always aligned. Natalia began her collegiate career at the University of Pittsburgh, setting a program record on bars with a 9.95 and placing second on the apparatus at the 2023 EAGL Championships before transferring to Alabama.
The prospect of competing in the same conference was initially unexpected.
“I didn’t in my life think I was going to end up in the SEC at all,” Natalia shared. “To have her and I both end up in the same conference feels amazing. Knowing that I’ll be able to see her at SECs and compete against her in Norman is so cool.”
Kamila, a highly sought-after recruit, considered joining Natalia at Alabama but ultimately decided to forge her own identity.
“I thought about what it would be like if we were together,” Kamila shared. “I kind of wanted to have my own path while she had hers so we could experience gymnastics in our separate lives since we’ve been through everything together. It’s kind of fun to have our little separate teams.”
The sisters are looking forward to the opportunity to compete against each other when Oklahoma hosts Alabama in Norman and again at the SEC Championships in Tulsa in late March.
“I think this is going to be one of the most special years we’ve had because we still get to compete with each other a little bit, but we have our own lives and our own team to support,” Kamila said. “I wasn’t able to watch her compete while I was in club. But getting this season together and being together when they come to OU and SECs, it’ll be so much fun.”
The logistics of supporting two daughters in the same conference present a challenge for their parents, but they’ve devised a plan to ensure both receive ample support.
“It’s a lot of planning because on top of that, my mom coaches her own team,” Natalia said. “She’s kind of sacrificed that. She’s like, “I’m not going to worry about their meets. I’m going to come to both of yours, as many as I can.” Right now, it looks like they’ll be splitting up. So, one parent will go to OU, and one parent will go to Bama. And then it’ll kind of be based off if we’re home or away, which meets they’re going to go to. But they’ve been planning it for a long time.”
Both parents were present for Kamila’s debut on , where she scored a career-high 9.95 and won her first event title on floor. They then traveled to Tuscaloosa the following week to support Natalia.
Their mother is even preparing a custom shirt for this meet in Norman, and plans are underway for a creative solution for the SEC Championships.
“I feel like they’ve done a pretty good job,” Natalia shared. “My mom is already having a half-and-half shirt made. As for SEC’s, they haven’t figured that out yet. I’m pretty sure my mom will probably wear her half-and-half shirt, and I think one parent will sit on the Alabama side and one parent will sit on the OU side and then they’ll switch halfway.”
As Natalia approaches the end of her collegiate career and Kamila embarks on hers, this season holds a special significance.
“I feel like it makes it even more special to know that my last season is her first season,” Natalia said. “It feels full circle because it feels like just yesterday I was a freshman, and now it’s crazy to think that she’s one. To have one year together, it’s a perfect way to close out my career.”
“I think it’s something we’ll remember forever,” Kamila shared. “It’s such a cool experience. I mean, not a lot of families have both daughters go to a D1 gymnastics school, especially in the SEC. I think it’s a really cool experience for all of us.”
Natalia’s advice to her younger sister is to cherish the experiences and relationships forged through college gymnastics, recognizing that these will be the most enduring takeaways.
“I hope she gets that the biggest things you take away from college gymnastics have absolutely nothing to do with gymnastics,” Natalia shared. “I hope she learns that it’s the experiences and the bonds you form with these people and the memories that you’ll really take away and not a score or any sort of result. What she’s going to remember most about these days has nothing to do with how many events she competed, what score she got. Just enjoy the moment, enjoy the people you’re with because it goes by faster than you know.”
Kamila’s message to her older sister is one of pride and gratitude.
“I’m so proud of you and I can’t wait to watch you finish up your senior year and enjoy every moment of it. And I just want you to know that I’m who I am today because of you and everything I’ve learned from you. Love you so much.”
