Aug. 7, 2009

 

COLUMBIA, Mo. - University of Missouri women's basketball graduate assistant Leslie Berger competed in the 18th World Maccabiah Games in as a member of Maccabi USA's open women's basketball team in Israel last month. Berger competed in the 2006 Maccabiah Games in Austraila and the 2005 Games, also in Israel.

The World Maccabiah Games are a quadrennial event that takes place in Israel. The 18th World Maccabiah Games, which took place July 12-23, was the world's third largest international athletic competition. The Games included over 8,000 athletes from over 60 countries. The United States delegation included 88 different teams.

One of 12 members of the 2009 squad, Berger, a captain, and her teammates posted a 4-1 record and took home the silver medal. The squad posted two wins over Israel, including a 30-point victory, before falling to the hosts in the gold medal game, 81-74.

“I loved every second of it,” Berger said. “It was an experience of a life time. I could not have asked for better teammates or better coaches. I was grateful that my family could experience Israel with me and get a chance to see me play. I love this game and I love the opportunities it continues to give me.”

While in Israel, the team visited many landmarks, including Yad Hashem (the holocaust museum), the beach in Netanya, Hezekiah's Tunnel and Mount Herzl.