Peak Performance
Discipline, excellence, perseverance, work ethic, goal setting, respect, responsibility, self awareness, humility, determination.
These are life lessons from a competitive athletic career, lasting traits earned with sweat and pain.
Numerous studies demonstrate the translatability of these traits into other facets of life, in particular business and career.
In addition to providing wonderful memories, these gifts have undoubtedly helped me in my professional and personal endeavors.
Childhood
As a child, I was much more of a sickly nerd than anything else. I actually still carry an inhaler with me to this day.
Everything changed when my parents forced me into joining a local swimming club. It was the doctor's recommendation and boy, was that doctor on to something.
I found out that I was well coordinated and extremely competitive. My health improved rapidly and I was winning medals in no time. I swam for three years and decided to take a break.
It was by a series of accidents that I found track and field, or it found me, and under the masterful guidance of Gregory Ruderman, virtually with no facilities, we began exploring together what makes a hammer fly farther. After seven years, a boy's dream came true and I took a scholarship at the University of Nebraska.
Below is a summary of what a sickly, nerdy child can achieve when given a chance.
In Israel
-
3-time National Champion - Hammer (2004, 2005, 2007)
-
Maccabiah Games Champion (2005)
-
4-time European Cup Qualifier (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007)
-
National Record Holder - Weight Throw (2007-2021)
-
National U23 Record Holder - Hammer (2004-present)
-
National Junior Record Holder - Hammer (2000-present)
-
National Youth Record Holder - Hammer (1997-present)
-
6-time National Junior/Youth Champion - Hammer
-
3-time National Junior/Youth Champion - Discus
-
2-time National Junior/Youth Champion - Javelin
-
World Youth Championship Qualifier - Hammer, Discus (1999)
-
City of Yavne Athlete of the Year (1999)
At the University of Nebraska
-
Big 12 Champion - Hammer (2004)
-
2-time NCAA Championship Qualifier (2005, 2007)
-
2-time Big 12 Outdoor Team Championship (2004, 2005)
-
2-time Big 12 Indoor Team Championship (2005, 2007)
-
School Record Holder - Hammer (2007-2014)
In Memoriam
This section is dedicated to the memories of the three coaches who trained, educated and taught me to be a better athlete and a better person. Each of them was a father figure and an inspiration.
1941-2007
Gregory M. Ruderman
USSR Track and Field coach for the junior (U20) throws squad. Coached many great champions.
An academic, a scholar and an author, whose writings and publications shaped the way in which throwing events are conducted globally.
Gregory loved literature and humor. He was a staunch liberal, a loyal friend and believed in discipline, but never raised his voice in practice.
1964-2011
Mark R. Colligan
After a successful career as an athlete at the University of Nebraska, proceeded to coach the throws squad for 25 years. Coached multiple NCAA and US champions, record holders and Olympians.
Mark was extremely intelligent, diligent and was able to adapt and reach every athlete in the way most suitable for them.
1969-2007
Rodger C. DeGarmo Jr.
Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Nebraska and later Executive Director of USA Weightlifting.
Rodger excelled as an athlete, a coach, an author and an administrator. More importantly, he was a tremendously kind and generous person and had a positive influence on everyone around him.