By their own admission, Central Missouri State University junior cross country student-athletes Kirsten, Erin and Nicole Hasemeier share a special bond. Not only are they sisters, they are identical triplets.

Having run track in junior high school and cross country in high school, the trio looked forward to becoming successful members of the cross country squad at Central Missouri State -- together.

As freshmen, the sisters struggled through the challenge of adjusting to college life, different training schedules and an increased pool of competition. As sophomores, they banded together in support of Kirsten, who suffered from a hip injury that sidelined her more than a year.

And this past summer, the sisters faced their greatest challenge yet when the youngest member of the trio, Nicole, underwent a kidney transplant and Erin served as the donor.

While it wasn't known what caused Nicole's ailment, it was a problem that had been identified while she was a junior in high school.

"We just know it was a slow process of my kidneys failing," she said.

Fortunately, finding a donor was a much quicker process. Once it was determined that Nicole was in need of a kidney, each member of the family was considered.

"Our mom had cancer about eight years ago and they canceled her out," Erin explained. "They considered our dad and then it came down to Kirsten and me. They chose me because I wasn't on any antibiotics or other medication."

Elder sister Kirsten said while their parents were concerned about how Erin's life would be affected by having only one kidney, they were happy that Nicole had a donor.

"Some people wait on a list for 10 years before they can get a donor. I think a lot of it was concern that everyone was going to be OK after the operation, but I think they were glad Nicole had us with her," Kirsten said.

In June, doctors successfully orchestrated the transplant. The recovery period, Nicole admits, was difficult.

"Being at home and trying to recover was painful because you had to sleep a certain way, you didn't have a big appetite and you had to stay inside. You couldn't be very active because every time you moved your torso hurt," she said.

But the girls never considered not returning to running.

"We knew we wouldn't get a lot of training in during the summer, but it never crossed my mind to not run," Erin said. "I also run faster because I weigh a poundless," she joked.

Nor did it occur to Kirsten to stop running if her sisters had not returned to the team.

"I guess it never really crossed my mind that they wouldn't return. Running has been a big part of our lives growing up," she said. "I think that was the goal of the operation. Just hearing Nicole talking about 'I can't wait to feel better when I run' because she was just so tired all the time, I just just wanted both of them to be healthy and all of us to run together again."

Kirsten got her wish. Just a short six weeks after the transplant, Erin and Nicole were back training.

Aside from having to have regular blood tests, Nicole has made a full recovery. So has Erin. And for the first time since they joined the Jennies, the trio has able to run together this cross country season.

The sisters agree one of the biggest lessons they've learned from the experience is to be thankful for their family.

"The operation couldn't have gone any more smoothly. Since I was a perfect match for Nicole, it worked out well. We realize other operations don't go so well. We're just really lucky to have the situation we did and for it to come out the way it did and especially for us to come back this season and all go to class," Erin said.

Kirsten said the experience also was a lesson in appreciating how close she and her sisters are.

"I'm so proud of the two of them for how strong they were through this whole thing. For me to sit back and watch was hard, but I'm glad she had it done so now she can go back to her life," she said.