Maccabi USA to join USATF

Coach Rick Rothman, (Maccabi 18) is working on approval from the Organizational Services Committee of USA Track and Field to make MAccabiah USA an Organizational Member.  Maccabiah will be a part of 7 committeess and  have 5 voting delegates.  The offical decision to join USATF will happen at the next Anuual USATF Conferance in Daytona Beach, Florida November 28 - Dec. 2nd.  Special thanks to Coach Rothman, Mark Schwartz, Duffy Mahoney, Frank Greenberg and Tim Baker for their assistance with this partnership.

Hana Sladick signs with the Gators

Hana Sladick signed with Mike Holloway's Florida Gators Track and Field Squad.  She is the first of many Junior Track and Field participants from the 2009 Maccabi Team to sign a letter of intent.   Hana will attempt to vie for the Open Track and field spot on the Maccabi 19 T&F team with Sivan Aballi.  Sivan is tried and proven as an All-American and All-Academic honors at the University of Memphis.  Sivan is hoping to repeat as Maccabiah Champion (shot/discus), but Hana should make it competative.

Here's a local story from Hana's home town of Naples Florida about her commitment:
http://m.naplesnews.com/news/2011/nov/22/prep-track-seacrests-sladick-commits-florida-gator/

Roy Chernock to hang-up the spikes

Roy Chernock (Maccabiah 4), the 83 year young man is more popularly known as Coach in his closer circles.  He has been a living legend in track and field.

I have received word that the long time supporter, coach and athlete,  Coach Roy Chernock, has recently announced his retirement. He's doing great, living well in West Palm Beach, Florida. He loves to reminisce about all his former athletes. It seems he hasn't forgotten anyone in his 40+ year mentoring career. His living room has become a sort of shrine with trophies, newspaper articles and magazine write-ups.  He has been the Head Coach for John I Leonard High school, Princeton, CW Post and most recently William and Mary.
Coach Chernock was recently inducted in the CW Post (LIU) University and the William & Mary Hall of Fame:(http://tinyurl.com/3qzs9ud)

He has four (4) gold medals in the sprints from the 1950 Maccabiah Games and has been a Coach for the squad several times (Maccabiah 8,9)
What a great career to be proud of; Thanks Coach for all that you have done and your continual inspiration.

 Coach Chernock was now inducted in the CW Post Hall of Fame as well-

Weinstein, Metz and Emrani keeping up-

Jeff Weinstein (Maccabi18) is still at it- The recent U Penn graduate will be competing in the upcoming New York Marathon.  It will be his first marathon.  He and his father are hoping to do well.  He has also joined the New Yrok Athletic Club to facilitate his efforts to run a sub 4 minute mile. 
Jennifer Metz Langbaum (Maccabi 15) is still keeping pace.  She has recently run a 800 meter in 2:08. 
New prospects for 2013 is still looking strong.  We anticipate much help in the field events and the US will continue to dominate in the middle distance.  No word yet on weather Dustin Emrani (Maccabi 18) will join team USA or team Israel.

Two more years until the next Maccabi Games in Israel

With just two years until the next Games- the US is ready to challenge Israel.
With some great early inquiries from some of the Country's best Jewish track athletes, I'm eager to compile and select the new track team for 2013.

Here is an update of some 2009 Maccabi USA Track stand-outs:

 Brian Mondeshein's knee is recovering slowly but he should be ready for a 2012 Olympic bid.  His grandfather, Irv Mondeshein was  US Olympic gold medal winner in decathlon. Currently, Brian is Israel's #2 vaulter behind Igor Popov.

Jillian Schwartz (pv) has already set numerous Israeli National records.  Her Olympic spot is considered a lock if she stays healthy. Countless track enthusiasts are thrilled that Jillian un-retired from track. I feel her best jumps are yet to come.

If his season ends today, Dustin Emrani's season would already be considered a success. He has set a new PR and is not feeling the pressure since he is already Israel's number one 800m runner. He has set two National indoor records.  (600m and 800m)

Aly Goldfarb, (800, pv) has recently qualified for Israel's National Track team.

Jeff Weinstein (1600, 5k) has been steadily been improving.  He finished a season best of 4:10 for the mile for the Penn Quackers.

Dustin Emrani

Dustin Emrani, ISR runs 1:46.82 in the 800m Click here to see the race  Just in time for London 2012

For all you non-track guys out there, that's a 1/2 mile at an Olympic level. I look forward to see where this will take you Dustin.
On behalf of the entire Maccabiah 2009 Track Team and the 1000's of supporters, we wish you the best!