The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize 18-year-old Shana Adler as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. Shana is a multi-sport star: a medal winning gymnast and a member of both the Ma’ayanot track and basketball teams. In addition to her athletic prowess, Shana is a talented writer and interned for JLNJ last summer.

Ma’ayanot basketball coach Atara Polinsky told the JLNJ, “Shana Adler is an outstanding athlete in many ways. She is fast, nimble (due to her incredible gymnastic abilities), and has a great sense of the game. From her soft touch on layups, to her quickness to get the ball, Shana has always been a reliable player on the court. Shana also has the unique ability to bring together all her various athletic talents to enhance her basketball game and make her the great player that she is.”

Shana who are your role models?

I look up to my parents, coaches, and teachers because they have taught me that I can do anything when I am determined to work hard at it.

Who is your favorite athlete?

My favorite athlete is Serena Williams, because although I do not play tennis, I admire her incredible drive and determination to excel as an athlete.

Do you have a pregame routine?

Before I perform at a gymnastics competition, I warm up all of my skills and go through my routines in my head. Before a basketball game, I usually run laps, stretch and shoot around with my teammates.

What is your earliest sport memory?

My earliest sports memory is the first time that I did a back handspring. I was only seven years old and had worked hard for months to get the skill. I was so excited when I finally landed on my feet without my coach spotting me. After I finally performed the back handspring, I was able to join the competitive gymnastics team.

What is your funniest sports memory?

I was playing a game on the Yeshivat Noam basketball team against RPRY when I was in seventh grade and my team was on defense. I was the point guard so I was at the top of the key, trying to defend the guard who was dribbling the ball. All of a sudden I heard someone behind me screaming over and over again, “Shana, pass me the ball!” After a few times of her repeating this, I finally turned my head and said “I don’t have the ball!!” Little did I know that the girl who I was guarding’s name was also Shana. It turns out that the next year, when we both came to Ma’ayanot, Shana and I became really great friends, and even played on the basketball team together.

What is your favorite sports memory?

My favorite sports memory is when I won the national gymnastics championships for my level when I was 15. My teammates and I had travelled to California to compete and were ecstatic to have qualified for the competition but did not expect to win. It was an amazing feeling to know that all of my hard work and determination at long and exhausting practices paid off.

What do you like to do when you are not playing sports?

Usually, when I am not at school, I am at a sports practice or some other extracurricular activity. When I do have free time though, I love hanging out with my friends and my siblings.

What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?

Something that being an athlete has taught me is that determination, commitment and hard work always beat talent. As an athlete I have learned to apply the same determined and hardworking mentality that I use every day in the gym to every activity that I participate in.

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].