The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Teaneck Doghouse would like to recognize 16-year-old Mendel Dashevsky as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. A junior at the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, Dashevsky is coming off of a first place finish in an inter-yeshiva cross country meet, last month. Rabbi Richard Kirsch, athletic director at RKYHS, told the Jewish Link of New Jersey, “We are so thrilled by Mendel’s tremendous accomplishment in this highly competitive sport. From the moment he joined our team, we saw a rising star. We look forward to many more great times ahead.”
Mendel, congrats on an amazing finish at the meet. If you had to select one person, who would you say is your role model and why?
My older brother because he has a great work ethic and when he wants to do something he does it. Very productive with his time—someday I strive to be like him.
What is your favorite sport?
Swimming.
What is your favorite sports memory?
My first race freshman year coming in first place.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
During my freshman year, I ran a 5k in 20:21.
Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?
Michael Phelps—he is the only Olympian with 28 medals and is relatively humble for a man who has completed such a feat.
What is your pregame routine?
Eat some cinnamon and do a little Phelps pre-Olympic stretch.
What is your earliest sport memory?
Learning to swim when I was 4 years old.
What is the weirdest sports related thing that has happened to you?
Finding out chess was a sport.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
Hang out with friends or learn something new school-related in order to impress my teachers.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
I feel honored. But I guess the idea that track (the sport) might be put in the spotlight because it tends to get overlooked.
The Teaneck Doghouse Sportstar of the Week will receive a $15 gift at the Teaneck Doghouse. Please send nominees for an upcoming Jewish Link of New Jersey and Teaneck Doghouse Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
By JLNJ Sports Desk
