Feature Story 2: Separated Brothers Name: Christy Thomas

Surreal.
That’s the only word to describe senior Daniel Karast’s unusual circumstance. Karast
was just warming up for the 100-meter dash when he found out he had a brother one
year younger than him.
Karast’s parents died in an automobile accident when he was just 13 months old.
He was later adopted by Bill and Jana Karast. What they did not know was that Karast’s
birth mother was nine months pregnant at the time of the crash. Though she died, the
doctors were able to save the baby. However, there was a mix-up at the hospital, and
Karast was already adopted by the time child services realized what happened.
Both brothers, Daniel and Southside High School junior Donald Stephens, met at a
UIL Regional Track Meet in April for the very first time, and doctors confirmed that they
were indeed brothers. Now, they are making up for the lost time. Both brothers are set
to play against each other at the regional playoff baseball games starting Friday.
Karast was getting ready for his 100-meter dash when his teammate informed him
of an athlete that looked exactly like Karast. At first, Karast did not believe him. But
when he kneeled down to get set in the starting blocks, he saw an almost mirror image
of himself.
“When I was at the starting line, I had only one thing in mind—win the race,''
Karast said. “Then, I looked to my left, and there I was. Same curly brown hair. Same
wide brown eyes. Same build. We even have the same crooked front teeth. I kind of
freaked out until I heard the starting pistol.”
After the race was over, Karast introduced himself to the young man, who in turn
embraced him. The young man was Stephens who also happened to be Karast’s
brother.
“I always knew one day I would find my brother, but I had no idea he was only 30
miles away this whole time,” Stephens said. “When I saw him at the track meet, I knew
instantly it was him. I just knew. I was so happy.”
Karast was not the only one who was unaware about his brother. His adoptive
parents also found out during the track meet.
“When Daniel called us from the track meet and started babbling over the phone
that he had a brother, we didn’t know what to think,” said Daniel’s mother Jana Karast.
“My husband and I had no idea that Daniel’s birth mother was pregnant at the time of
the car accident. We are so happy for Daniel. He’s so proud to have a brother, and the
Stephens are lovely people.”
The recent track meet won’t be the last time the boys will compete against each
other. Both Karast and Stephens will play on opposite teams for the upcoming baseball
tournament, but that has not stopped them from practicing together and becoming close
friends.
“At first, my baseball coach was a little worried about me playing against him,”
Stephens said. “He wasn’t sure I would pitch my best, but then he saw the
Feature Story 2: Separated Brothers Name: Christy Thomas

improvements I’ve made by practicing with Daniel. He knows now that we both push
each other to be better. 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.”
Though the brothers are starting pitchers for their varsity teams, both have agreed
to do their best and support each other at the regional games this weekend.
“I am excited about the games,” Karast said. “It’s going to be an even match up
this weekend. The great thing is, both of us will go to the UIL State Baseball
Tournament. One will be a player, and the other a fan.”
For Karast, the track meet marked the beginning of a new chapter. Before, he was
an only child. Now, he has a brother.
“I never liked being an only child,” Karast said. “Winning second was great, but
finding Donald was incredible. It was the best day of my life. We’ve basically become
one big family.”