The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize Rebecca Max as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. Two weeks ago Rebecca won the 2015 United States Association of Independent Gymnastics Clubs (USAIGC) World Championships 11-year-old Bronze division.
When Rebecca competed at the New York State championship in Edgewood, NY at the beginning of May, she had to ask for special accommodation because her 11-year-old division was scheduled to compete on Shabbos. Rebecca received permission to compete on Sunday with the Bronze 14-year-olds, but because she could not compete at the same time as her peers, her scores did not count in the NY state standings. She could, however, use her scores to qualify for the world championships, which she did. Rebecca’s NY state score would have won the “All Around” if it had counted in the standings.
A month later, Rebecca competed in the USAIGC 2015 World Championship, on June 28-29 in Palm Springs, CA. She won first place with an all-around score of 36.300. The top 10 scorers in each event on day one qualified to compete the next day in the individual event finals. Rebecca came in the top 10 for all four events. During her competition the next day, her individual even scores were: Vault 9.100 (first place), Bars 8.650 (third place), Beam 9.200 (third place), Floor 9.350 (tie for second place).
JLNJ spoke with Rebecca about her experiences:
Rebecca, who is your role model?
My role model is my Mom because she supports me in everything that I do and teaches me how to believe in myself.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
My favorite athlete is McKayla Maroney because the vault is her best event, just like me.
What is your pregame routine, if you have one?
I try to not think about the competition and just think of it like a regular practice day.
What is your earliest sport memory?
I started gymnastics when I was about three years old when my Mom was taking my younger sister to a Mommy and Me class at the gym, and she signed me up for gymnastics so that I’d have something fun to do at the same time.
What is your favorite sports memory?
My Dad took me to the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions after the last Olympics, and I got to see my favorite US Olympic gymnasts in person.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
I like hanging out with my friends and family.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
When I went to ‘Worlds,’ the other 11-year-old girls from New York asked me, ‘How come I never saw you at ‘States?’ I said that I observe Shabbos and couldn’t compete on Saturday. They let me compete on Sunday with the 14-year-olds instead. Even though I got the highest score, my score didn’t count except to qualify me to go to ‘Worlds.’ The best thing about being a Sportstar is showing people that you can keep Shabbos and do gymnastics.
The Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week will receive a $10 gift certificate to Gotham Burger. Please send nominees for next week’s Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
