Every four years, Jewish athletes from countries all over the world gather in Israel to compete in the Maccabiah Games. This year, West Windsor-Plainsboro got a little representation in what is known as the “Jewish Olympics.” Nicky Arias, High School South’s head softball coach, and Sydney Turchin, former High School North softball standout and 2011 graduate, both helped the United States’ softball team win seven games and eventually capture a gold medal. The team went undefeated in tournament play and surrendered only two runs, earning it an automatic bye into the championship game.
Arias has been there before. She won the gold medal in 2007 at the Maccabiah Pan American Games in Argentina and again in 2009 at the quadrennial games. She was asked to participate both as a coach and an athlete this time around.
“It was extremely exciting and at the same time, it was a little bit of pressure,” she said. “After our game, the USA men’s softball masters and open teams were playing for gold as well. We wanted to start the USA off right by winning the gold and leading the way for the rest of the USA softball teams.”
The squad was made up of players from California, Illinois, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Florida, and, of course, New Jersey. Turchin, who currently plays at Penn, was a first-timer. She was selected through a regional tryout.
“As we got closer to achieving our goal of playing for the gold, there was a lot of anticipation and excitement,” Turchin said. “The energy of the team definitely grew as we got closer and closer.”
Playing in the games was important to both women, as they got to meet with athletes and play in a country that shared their faith.
“Winning my third gold medal was very satisfying but what truly makes these games special is being able to build life-long friendships with your team and athletes from other countries,” Arias said. “I feel a closer connection to Judaism and Israel.”
