Philadelphia, PA, January 22, 2008 -The USA Water Polo Team “A” went undefeated at the recent Pan American Maccabi Games and brought home the Gold Medal. This young and talented team of athletes came from universities and high schools in California and Florida for two weeks to form a team and represent the United States at this International athletic competition. The Games took place from December 26, 2007 – January 2, 2008 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The athletes are: Samuel Blum of Pasadena, CA; brothers Devon and Spencer Borisoff of La Canada, CA; Scott Comley of Redondo Beach, CA; Nestor Dordoni of Culver City, CA; Larry Green of Topanga, CA; Adam Mandell-Senft of Los Angeles, CA; Michael Millstein of Alamo, CA; Michael Rosenthal of Miami, FL; Stephan Salter of Hidden Hills, CA; Dean Serure of Miami, FL. The were led by a great coaching staff of Jonathan Burke of Atherton, CA; Daniel Leyson of Los Angeles, CA and Derek Borisoff of La Canada, CA – who also had two sons who competed as part of this team.
There were two USA Water Polo Teams and the USA “A” Team defeated the Brazilian Team in the final competition.? They went undefeated in the tournament.? Michael Millstein, at 16, was the youngest player on the USA Team, said, “The entire experience of playing and winning a gold medal for my country was by far the highlight of my athletic career.? There’s nothing like hearing USA chants and knowing that they are for you or standing on the podium and singing our national anthem.”
“Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel sent a contingent of close to 500 to the 11th Pan American Maccabi Games, in the Open, Youth, Juniors and Masters categories, joining an estimated 3,000 athletes from more than 20 countries,” said Phyllis Magerman, General Chair of the U.S. 11th Pan American Maccabi Games Organizing Committee.?
Since 1948, Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel has sought to enrich the lives of Jewish youth in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora through athletic, cultural and educational programs.? The organization is the sponsor of the U.S. Team to the World Maccabiah Games in Israel, the world’s third largest international sporting event.? It also sponsors U.S. participation in Maccabi competitions in Pan America, Europe and Australia and supports Jewish youth through the JCC Maccabi Games.