The Jewish Link and Drink Up would like to recognize Eli Wiederkehr as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey seventh grader was a force for the YMSSA champion RYNJ Jaguars and is one of the stars of the Bengen County Flag Football League’s Patriots team. When asked about Eli, RYNJ Coach Mark Van Benschoten told The Jewish Link, “Eli is one of the best guards I have ever coached in all my years of coaching. What makes him special is he gets it. He buys into the process and is very receptive to coaching. He can drive to the hoop, hit the perimeter shot and can run the offense from the point. He is never too high and never too low with his emotions out on the court. He was a major reason why RYNJ won the regular and postseason championship. His teammates love him—as well as his coach!”
BCFL Co-Commissioner and Yeshivat Noam CoachSteve Gutloveadded, “Eli is a special ball player that I have been tracking since he was in the second and third grade division of MGBL. He has always been blessed with tremendous athleticism and body control, but what impresses me more than his skill is the modest way he carries himself on the field and court. He lets his game and his middos speak for themselves. Having observed many of his games over the years, as an opposing coach and league commissioner I can attest that Eli is truly a Sportstar.”
Eli, Mazel tov on your bar mitzvah this Shabbos and congrats on being recognized as this week’s Sportstar of the Week! Who is your role model and why?
My dad, because he always encourages me to be my best.
What is your favorite sport?
Basketball, because it is a great team sport.
What is your pregame routine?
My pregame routine is to shoot around and stay focused.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
Winning the seventh grade YMSSA championship.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Chris Paul, because he has a super-high basketball IQ, is a great scorer and a great teammate.
What is your favorite sports memory?
The parade at RYNJ after we won the last championship.
What is your earliest sports memory?
Playing CMEK with my friends.
What is your favorite thing to do when not playing sports?
Hanging out with my siblings, my new nephew and my friends.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
Being recognized for my accomplishments.
Please send nominees for an upcoming Drink Up Jewish Link Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
