The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Teaneck Doghouse would like to recognize 17-year-old Eden Schechter as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. Schechter will be graduating from Ma’ayanot High School later this month. She has played a variety of sports over the years. At RPRY, her middle school, Shechter helped start (and was captain of) the first ever girls hockey team. She also played on the Ravens basketball team in eighth grade. Since starting at Ma’ayanot, Schechter has played three years of volleyball (one year JV, two years varsity). She was part of the team that placed second at the YULA tournament in Los Angeles in 2018 and won the MYHSAL championship this year. She was also on the Rapids hockey team for four years, where she alternated between offense and defense. She was the team’s leading scorer in 2019. Shechter lives in East Brunswick, where she is very active in her synagogue, Young Israel of East Brunswick, and NCSY. She will be studying at Machon Ma’ayan in Israel next year and will then go to Rutgers University in September 2020.
Eden, congratulations on your upcoming high school graduation. Who are your role models and why?
I would say my parents. Growing up, I always looked up to them. They are and always will be the most important role models of my life. They’ve taught me so much and I still have so much to learn from them. My older sister Dora too. She and I are very close and I learn from her as well.
What is your favorite sport?
Hockey and volleyball. It’s a tie. I love them both.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
Winning the volleyball championship this year. It was an amazing feeling. When I got to hold the trophy after the game, it was just amazing.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
I do not have a favorite. But I love playing sports so I would say everybody who is involved in yeshiva sports leagues. The competition is fierce and we all work so hard.
What is your pregame routine, if you have one?
I go out to dinner with my mom and siblings. I do that religiously! Once I get to the game, I usually have to help set up the boards and nets, so that is my “stretching.”
What is your earliest sport memory?
Playing baseball in my backyard with my dad.
What is your weirdest sports memory?
Going to my brother’s first wrestling match. We were freshmen and I had never been to a match. It was so “different.” But I learned to love it and my family went to every match he had at TABC.
What is your favorite sports memory?
Getting my first goal in hockey at RPRY. We had formed the first girls team after my dad agreed to coach. We only won once. But we were so happy to have a team it did not matter. We celebrated like we won a championship.
What do you like to do when you are not playing sports?
Hanging out with my friends and family.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
It’s nice for someone to think that I deserve it.
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
