At a track meet, senior Daniel Karast is ready on the starting blocks with his mind

focused on winning the 100-meter dash, but with the turn of a cheek, he is startled and
unknowing that his whole life was about to change.
Throughout Daniel’s life, he and his adoptive parents, Bill and Jana Karast, never
knew he had a sibling, until the UIL Regional Track Meet last month. Right at the start of
the race, he caught a glimpse of a young man who looked almost identical to him and
placed first, beating Daniel by a fraction of a second. Daniel was shocked and confused
by what he saw as he discovered that the young man was his younger brother, Donald
Stephens. The brother’s birth parents both died in a car accident when Daniel was 13
months old, and Donald was still nine months inside the womb. News about Daniel
having a brother did not transfer from the doctors to child services on time before he
was adopted. But ever since the meet, they have gotten closer and and have learned
that they have similar interests including track, math, art and baseball. The brothers will
be competing once again at their regional playoff baseball games this friday, both as
starting pitchers on their varsity team.
“I always knew one day I would find my brother, but I had no idea he was only 30
miles away this whole time,” Donald said. “When I saw him at the track meet, I knew
instantly it was him.”
Daniel said meeting his brother was the best day of his life. He’s wanted a sibling
and now that he has one, they have been spending a lot of time together.
“Getting to know Daniel has been awesome,” Daniel said. “I never liked being an
only child. Seriously, it’s like almost having a twin.”
Jana didn’t know what to think when she first heard the news that Daniel had a
brother. She had no idea Daniel’s birth mother was pregnant during the car accident,
but now both families are supporting both boys no matter who wins.
“We are so happy for Daniel,” Jana said. “He’s always been such a happy child,
but now he’s on cloud nine. He’s so proud to have a brother, and the Stephens are
lovely people.”
The boys competed against each other in the state track meet where Donald
placed 4th, and Daniel placed 3rd, beating his brother by two tenths of a second. They
chose to support each other no matter who won.
 “Competing against Donald at state was a little strange,” Daniel said. “I wanted to
win, but I also wanted him to win. We agreed before the meet to run our fastest and
support each other no matter what the outcome.
Donald and his coach were worried about the upcoming baseball game against
Daniel, but the brothers have been practicing together, and that helped Donald improve.
Whoever wins will be the player, and the other will be a fan.
“He knows that now that we both push each other to better,” Donald said. “I’m not
going to lie. I want to win the games this weekend, but I am not going to be devastated
if we don’t win. Win or lose, I still win.”