With Olympic fever spreading across the nation, it was easy to see the excitement and anticipation building at this year’s JCC Maccabi Games.

More than 900 Jewish athletes along with 250 coaches and delegation heads converged onto the Leo Yasenoff JCC campus for a weeklong event that had it all. Here is the play by play:

Sunday, Aug. 8
Nine athletes, one delegation head and a coach travel off to Columbus. After meeting our host families it was off to the opening ceremonies in the Arena District at Battelle Hall.  More than 30 communities were present, including teams from Canada, Great Britain, Venezuela and Israel. The Israeli Scouts supplied entertainment.

Monday, Aug. 9
Competition began. Team Dayton had athletes participating in basketball, soccer, tennis, swimming, golf and bowling.  Our first medals came from Gillian Bank and Brittany Sussman in swimming. Monday night also saw all the athletes come together for a huge carnival with inflatables including a human foosball, an NFL obstacle course and a climbing wall.

Tuesday, Aug. 10
As competition continued, Brian Horwitz struck the right pin as he bowled his way to a bronze in the singles competition. Tuesday night was host family night and many athletes attended more than one party, with host families opening up their homes and pools.

Wednesday, Aug. 11
After a little sleep it was back to competition. Wednesday out at the Turnberry Golf Course saw Jacob Schear along with Luke from Louisiana and Adam from Virginia take the gold medal in the nine-hole scramble. Meanwhile on the tennis court, Lisa Michaels and Stephanie Mutzman were teaming up for their doubles match. Lisa had a personal triumph, beating her opponent in the singles bracket 8-0. The match was scored in pro sets.

Travis Gilbert, also playing tennis, enjoyed some wins in the consolation bracket as well as getting to grips with a racquet of a different kind in the racquetball competition.

Barry Sokol, playing on a mixed team with players from Israel, Toledo and Youngstown, had plenty of playing time throughout the week. Coaches and athletes alike took a trip that evening to Magic Mountain for putt putt, water bumper boats, video games and go-carts.

Thursday, Aug. 12
On the last day of competition, we won our last medal. Megan DuBro, playing soccer on a team from Orange County, had not lost a game all tournament. There was no losing in the final either. They won the gold medal game against the girls from the San Francisco area 3-0 with Megan netting the last of the three goals. Barry also participated in the shot put competition on Thursday, just missing out on a medal after coming in fourth.

The evening was rounded off with the closing ceremonies at the JCC and a dance party.

Friday, Aug. 13
Friday saw some very sad faces as athletes from all over the country started to say good-bye to one another. Many athletes exchanged phone numbers, e-mails and screen names before boarding buses and planes.

Those athletes eligible were already thinking about next summer’s games, to be held in San Antonio.

Every day also gave our athletes the opportunity to participate in the JCC Maccabi Games Day of Caring and Day of Sharing program.

This was held in conjunction with Columbus JCC Special Needs Camp Program and was based around the sports the athletes played.

All the athletes participated in this wonderful event. For example, Megan DuBro had the chance to share her soccer skills with the kids as well. Brittany Sussman and Gillian Bank shared some of their skills in the pool.

Team Dayton’s participation in the Games would not have been possible without the help of our sponsors.

We would like to thank national sponsor Coca Cola and Dayton’s Gold Sponsors, the Dr. Donn Charme Sports Fund in memory of Phyllis Charme, and the Fan & Herb Weisman Art & Physical Fitness Fund. Both funds are distributed through the Dayton Jewish Federation Foundation.
Dayton Medal Count
Gold: 12
Silver: 11
Bronze: 5

For a full count on all medals and results, log on to www.columbusjcc.org. For more information on the Games, please contact Marc Jacob, DJCC director of youth activities, at mjacob@jfgd.net.