Picture two long, skinny snakes wrapped around one another, doing what Gahanna Lincoln High School wrestling coach Kyle Bentley calls "flipping and flopping around" as each looks for an advantage.

While Bentley might not be a snake aficionado, his imagination has had some unique inspiration the last two winters.

Since sophomore twin brothers Drew and Kasee McDougle joined the Lions' program a year ago, they've built a reputation for their intense practice habits against one another.

Kasee, who competes at 135 pounds, and Drew, who is at 130, have been drill partners since the two began competing in the sport when each was about 5 years old. Although Kasee says that "nothing happens" when they practice against each other because they're so familiar with the other's strengths, weaknesses and moves, their work has helped bring each consistent success against other opponents.

"They're very competitive against each other, but they help each other scout and really do things that good drilling partners do for one another," Bentley said. "They tend to work pretty well and know each other's likes and dislikes. In practice, they'll be twisting and turning on one another. They end up like that in their (other) matches, and then they'll end up on top."

At the 50th annual Brecksville-Broadview Heights Holiday Tournament on Dec. 29-30, Drew went 3-3 and finished eighth and Kasee went 4-2 but didn't place. Drew defaulted his final match because of a neck bruise and is 12-4 on the season. Kasee is 11-2.

"I am a little bit surprised," Kasee said of the success he and his brother have had since entering high school. "I thought it would be a little bit tougher. But me and my brother are scrappers."

The McDougles' father, Craig, competed in high school and wrestled for two seasons at the University of Toledo. Their grandfather, Larry McDougle, is the president and chief executive officer at Owens Community College, which has campuses in Findlay and Toledo.

Despite their father's wrestling background, the McDougle brothers also tried baseball and basketball and took skating lessons before deciding to get serious about wrestling.

They competed for the DeSales wrestling club while attending Gahanna Middle School East. With that program, Drew and Kasee competed in various out-of-area tournaments and went against wrestlers from state powers such as Lakewood St. Edward and St. Paris Graham.

"My first goal when I got to high school was that I wanted to be a varsity wrestler," Drew said. "It seemed like competing like we did in middle school made it a lot easier for us. We were just proud that we were able to do so well. (Our grandfather) tells us to try our hardest and don't give up on things."

"Wrestling was the one thing that stuck with us," Kasee said. "We used to play in normal little kids leagues in other sports, but I like that you win and lose on your own in wrestling."

Drew competed at 112 last season and went 36-7, including finishing 1-2 at the Division I state tournament. Kasee was 34-9.

The McDougle brothers were a huge part of the resurgence Gahanna's program enjoyed last season. After having just two district qualifiers in 2009, the Lions had six advance to that level last March and took third (170) at the 13-team Watkins Memorial sectional.

At district, Drew took third to advance to state and Kasee went 2-2.

"It really motivated me seeing (Drew) at state," Kasee said. "We do have a slight competition to be better than the other one and that did motivate me this summer."

Gahanna was co-champion of the OCC-Ohio Division last season at 6-1 along with Pickerington North. The Lions placed sixth in the OCC-Ohio in 2008-09.

Defending the conference title is among the McDougle brothers' top goals, although that took a hit Jan. 6 when the Lions lost 47-17 in a dual at Lancaster.

The Lions were fourth in the Division I area coaches poll released Jan. 3 and Lancaster was sixth. While senior Nick Brown was ranked first at 189, Drew and Kasee both were ranked second at their respective weights.

"I always have a drill partner, and that has definitely helped me to become a better wrestler," Drew said. "Kasee's more of a pound-it guy and I've been the more technical, so that helps us work on things. The thing I like about wrestling is that you've got to push yourself to get better. You can set goals and achieve that goal. I think it helps me know I can accomplish anything."

"I've known (the McDougle brothers) since they were in about sixth grade," Bentley said. "They live right down the street from me, and I knew them from when they wrestled for the DeSales middle school club program. Their parents are just good people and they're both very coachable. They listen very well."

AT A GLANCE

Below are the recent results and coming schedule for the Gahanna Lincoln wrestling team:

Dec. 29-30 - Tied for 27th with Amherst Steele (51) in 42-team Brecksville-Broadview Heights Holiday Tournament, behind champion Bedford Chanel (191). Nick Brown (189) finished fifth and Drew McDougle (130) was eighth. Evan Bergenstein (215) went 3-2 and Kasee McDougle (135) was 4-2.

*Jan. 6 - Lost to Lancaster 47-17; defeated Reynoldsburg 54-22

Last Friday-last Saturday - Finished seventh (98.5) in 18-team Fairfield Invitational, behind champion Chattanooga (Tenn.) McCallie (232). Brown (189) was second, Drew McDougle (130) and Kasee McDougle (135) both were third and Bergenstein (215) finished fourth.

*Last Wednesday - Competed against Newark and Groveport

Friday-Saturday - Marion Elgin Invitational

Of note: The Lions were 1-1 in the OCC-Ohio before last Wednesday.

*OCC-Ohio match