Keep Calm and Smash Hard: Maccabi USA Badminton with Nicole Frevold

Flashback to 2013 as Nicole Frevold boarded the plane to Israel for the 19^th Maccabiah Games. Having never been to Israel before, she recalls not knowing what to expect – in terms of both the competition and the overall experience of the three weeks abroad. She was recruited for the Badminton team by fellow teammate and friend, Sam Schwartz.

Three years later, Nicole credits the Maccabiah Games as one of the most incredible experiences of her life. When asked about the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions Maccabi USA, she instantly speaks of the Opening Ceremony, “It was amazing to look around the stadium and see thousands of people in the stands who were there for you, cheering you on; marching in with Team USA as well as the other delegations was a moment I will never forget.”

In addition to the Opening Ceremony, the competition made a significant impact on Nicole as an athlete. As an extremely competitive person, the tournaments were equally as important as experiencing Israel. Nicole won gold in Juniors Girls’ Singles and silver in Juniors Girls’ Doubles.

The Maccabiah Games allowed her to develop a deeper connection to Judaism and her Jewish community. In her opinion, the Maccabiah Games are the best scenario, “You get to travel to a different country, play in competitions in a sport you love, tour and sightsee historic sites and take in the culture of Israel.”

Currently, Nicole is a freshman at the University of New Hampshire and is hoping to compete again in the Open Division of Badminton for the 20^th Maccabiah Games in the summer of 2017.

Maccabi USA is currently seeking qualified Jewish Badminton players to represent Team USA at the 20^th World Maccabiah Games for Juniors Girls’ & Boys’ birth years 1999-2002 and Open Men & Women ages 18-35. To apply, click HERE, application deadline is October 31, 2016! For more information please contact Kim Mertens, Overall Badminton Chairman at kmertens2017@gmail.com.

Previously:

Dan Kurtz: Maccabi USA’s Alumni Relations Director

Emily Seelenfreund: A Maccabiah Trailblazer

Ellie Greenberg: In Her Own Words

From Maccabi Canada to Maccabi USA: Ice Hockey with Greg Gardner

From Running in to Coaching at the Maccabiah with Jordan Schilit

Building Maccabi USA’s Lacrosse Program with Eve Levinson

Maccabi USA Baseball with Eric Holtz

From the Maccabiah to Maccabi Young Leadership

Maccabi USA Cricket led my Former Israeli National Team Cricketer

Judo: A Family Affair with Adam Moyerman

Tennis in Santiago with Natasha Dabrowski