The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Teaneck Doghouse would like to recognize 12-year-old Avital Schlissel as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The Bruriah Middle Schooler wowed the crowd earlier this year when competing against high-school swimmers, she earned eight points for Bruriah’s Dolphinz.
Avital, congrats on a great season. Who is your role model and why?
My role model is my mom. My mom is a hard working mother. She balances her three children with her two jobs, and keeping the house clean and everything organized so there isn’t any chaos. She works so hard every day to give me and my family the best life possible.
What is your favorite sport?
My favorite sport is basketball.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment is being the first sixth grader on the high school swim team and getting eight out of the 10 points my team scored in the last swim meet of the season against other high school girls.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
My favorite athlete is Stephen Curry because he is the first basketball player I ever watched play.
What is your pregame routine, if you have one?
Right before a game or meet I like to workout and stretch.Working out and stretching helps me concentrate and focus on winning.
What is your earliest sport memory?
My earliest sports memory is when I was in first grade and I joined a swim team, but I quit in the middle because I was afraid of the coach. The next year I joined again, and because of what had happened the year before it made me try harder.
What is your favorite sports memory?
My favorite sports memory was when I was playing basketball with people who were twice my size at the park. Since I was so small compared to them, I was able to dribble the ball under their legs and run around them. I scored most of the points and it was really fun trying something like that.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
When I’m not playing sports, I’m dancing. I love to dance—I take a hip hop and modern dance class. It’s really fun having more then one activity to do.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
The best part about being a Sportstar is being able to push myself more and more until I reach the best I am capable of. I also enjoy being active so my body’s always moving.
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 Sportsdesk
