The Jewish Link and Drink Up would like to recognize Daphna Hook as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. Daphna is an 11th grader at Bruriah High School in Elizabeth. She is the starting first baseman for the first place Bruriah Lightning and for the co-champion Bruriah volleyball team. She has participated in Yavneh Youth League baseball since first grade as well as collecting multiple MGBL basketball championships. When asked about Daphna, an observer told The Jewish Link, “ Daphna brings the killer combination of athletic ability and superior sportsmanship that we have come to expect from all Hooks. Wishing her much success on this year’s softball team and hopefully next year.”
Daphna, congrats on being recognized as Sportstar of the Week. Who is your role model and why?
My dad, because he taught me all the sports tips I know.
What is your favorite sport?
My favorite sport is both volleyball and softball, because both are great opportunities for team bonding.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
Working my way up since freshman year to become the starting first baseman and cleanup hitter.
Who is your pregame routine?
In softball, the entire team collectively stretches and throws around in the field.
In volleyball, we blast music while stretching and spiking.
What is your earliest sports memory?
When I was a little kid, I was watching my brother Yonah’s baseball game on my mother’s lap. Being the youngest player, he stood way back in the outfield and didn’t catch a single ball. He made a spectacular catch to win the game and the championship. My parents went crazy and my mom jumped up to cheer him on sending me airborne and I was left on the floor watching everyone cheer him on.
What is your favorite sports memory?
I got a new mitt and someone told me that the best way to break it in was to place it under your mattress. So I decided to try it out and put it under my bed. I had forgotten about it and thought I had lost my mitt and was ready to order a new one. Two weeks later I had a weird idea to check under my mattress and found my mitt. The saddest part of it all, was when I took the mit out from under my mattress, the tag read “no break in needed.”
What is your weirdest sports memory?
When I was in first grade playing in Yavneh Youth League, we didn’t play with outs since we were too little. But the boys on my team would always call the outs anyways, even though the coaches would always say the runner was safe.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
Hanging out with friends either on FaceTime or in person.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
My friends and family will get to see me in The Jewish link.
The Drink Up Jewish Link Sportstar of the Week will receive a 5% discount on their next order @Drink Up, order with https://forms.gle/k8cjADWpMne9bPed7 or message Steve Gutlove 201 578 7425. Please send nominees for an upcoming Drink Up Jewish Link Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
