The Jewish Link and Drink Up would like to recognize cousins Hillel Manzon and Sari Elstein as this week’s sports stars of the week. Hillel and Sari play together on the Elmora Youth Little League Blue Rocks and recently won their division championship. Through the regular season, playoffs and championships they led the team in all categories: hitting, fielding and pitching. Hillel had a.778 batting average with 2 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR and 15 RBIs. He pitched in 7 games and gave up a total of 6 runs and struck out 17. In the playoffs and championships, he gave up 0 runs over 3 games. Sari had a.739 batting average with 3 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR and 10 RBIs. She pitched in 7 games and gave up a total of 4 runs and struck out 14. In the playoffs and championships, she gave up 1 run over 3 games. When asked about the dynamic duo, coach Evan Manzon told the Jewish Link, “What really stands out is their leadership and middos on and off the field. They celebrate their teammates’ successes and rally around a teammate whenever they may be struggling. They win with grace and lose with dignity. I am honored to be called their father, uncle and coach!”
Hillel and Sari, congrats on the championship and for being recognized as this week’s sports stars of the week! Who is your role model and why?
Hillel: My dad, because he is a great man who offers his time and would help anybody at any time. He cares so much for his family.
Sari: My abba, because he is the best baseball coach ever.
Where do you go to school and what grade will you be starting in the fall?
Hillel: JEC – 3rd Grade
Sari: I just finished 3rd grade at JEC. My family and I are making aliyah this summer. I will be attending a new school next year in Efrat.
What is your favorite sport?
Hillel: Baseball, because I like being part of a team and having an opportunity to show how hard work and practice pays off.
Sari: BASEBALL! Because two of my brothers also play.
What is your pregame routine?
Hillel: On the car ride over to my games, we blast EDM with the windows down.
Sari: Eat dinner, do my homework and get to the field because most of our games are on school nights.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
Hillel: Winning the championship with my cousin Sari in our last year playing together, because she is making aliyah this summer.
Sari: Winning this year’s championship baseball game with my cousin Hillel.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Hillel: Pete Alonso, because he plays the game hard and he hits homers!
Sari: My older brother Jacob. He was a wrestler for Kushner High School. He was also a Jewish Link sports star.
What is your favorite sports memory?
Hillel: Hitting my first home run.
Sari: I have 2 favorite sports memories. One, I ran a Spartan race on Father’s Day with my family. Two, I was called up to play on my older brother’s baseball team because they were short players.
What is your earliest sports memory?
Hillel: Playing soccer at the Union Y.
Sari: Playing ball in the backyard with my family.
What is one of the weirdest things you have seen while playing sports?
Hillel: Playing in my basketball league and seeing my teammate try and score on the wrong basket!
Sari: I’m only 9. I don’t really have one yet.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
Hillel: Playing outside with my friends and playing video games.
Sari: Watching TV and jumping on my trampoline.
What is the best thing about being a sports star?
Hillel: Trying to be a good role model for other kids. My dad always tells me to play hard and to set a good example for my teammates.
Sari: To be able to show that girls can play with boys on an all-boys baseball team.
Please send nominees for an upcoming Drink Up Jewish Link sports star of the Week to [email protected].
