Lehigh University Athletics
Pierce races her way to three medals in Israel
7/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field, Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – For Katherine Pierce and Liz Meltzer, the summer of 2009 is one they will not soon forget. Pierce, a rising sophomore on Lehigh’s cross country and track and field teams, and Meltzer, Lehigh’s head rowing coach, traveled to Israel during the month of July to take part in the 18th Maccabiah Games, which included over 9,000 Jewish athletes from over 60 countries across the world. While overseas, Pierce competed in three events as a member of the track and field team, and Meltzer served as an assistant coach for the rowing team. The pair of Mountain Hawks was able to explore the culture and beauty of Israel and learn about their heritage, while also being involved in the sports they love.
Pierce had long known about the Maccabiah Games as her father Robert had competed three times in 1985, 1989 and 1993 as a track athlete. After applying for a spot on the team, Pierce found out during the winter months that she was headed for Israel during the summer of 2009. “It was very exciting to hear that I made it,” Pierce explains. “I had to raise $3,300 though so I did some fundraising, sold raffle tickets, I received help from my synagogue and my family helped me out, too.”
“The whole experience was just amazing,” Pierce says. “I was hoping to run a little faster than I did, but given the tough conditions and the heat, overall I think I performed pretty well. Everything was so much more than what I had expected.”
Pierce arrived in Israel in early July as the track team conducted a one-week training camp to ready themselves for the games. In addition to training, Pierce and her teammates were afforded an opportunity to tour the country. “We went to a lot of great places. My favorite day was definitely when we went to the Dead Sea and Masada and then had a Bedouin Dinner.” She continued, “We stayed in Tel-Aviv during the pre-camp segment and then moved to Jerusalem once the competition started.”
Pierce was scheduled to compete in two events while in Israel, but wound up racing in three including the 1,500 and 5,000-meters and the half-marathon. The arts and sciences major raced her way to a second place finish in the 5,000-meters as she crossed in 18:33.52 to earn a silver medal. She backed that up with a fifth place finish in the 1,500-meters with a time of 4:59.57.
After thinking her time on the track was over, Pierce was surprised when the half-marathon team approached her about a vacancy. “The half-marathon was set up similar to cross country, but rather than seven runners, they have just five who count towards the score. Unfortunately the United States team had only three runners, so a girl from the track team and me decided we’d give it a shot.”
It turned out to be a great move for Pierce who completed the grueling run in just under an hour-and-a-half, which earned her a second silver medal individually. Coupled with the United States team finish of second place, the rising sophomore brought three medals back home. “The experience helped me in terms of athletics because I know there will be incentive to continue competing once I am done at Lehigh. Outside of athletics it helped to confirm my Jewish identity; I am proud to be a Jewish athlete. It also showed me how much religion and athletics truly mean to me.”
Meltzer had previously traveled to Israel for the 2005 Maccabiah Games when her brother Max earned a pair of medals as a member of the United States wrestling team. When this summer’s games rolled around however, Meltzer wanted the opportunity to be closer to the action. “I had been to Israel before and it really left an impression on me,” Meltzer explains. “My passion for coaching the sport of rowing, the chance to be with fellow Jewish athletes and an opportunity to represent my country was too much to pass on. I’m very happy I was able to be a part of the Maccabiah Games and I have thoughts of returning in the future.”
Like Pierce, Meltzer arrived in Israel for a pre-camp that was conducted at the Daniel Rowing Center in Tel-Aviv. “The facilities were incredible as was the entire staff that took care of us. I can’t say enough about how well we were treated and how comfortable everyone made us feel.” She continued, “Our days would consist of two or sometimes three practices a day, coupled with some touring and of course plenty of time to get to know one another; not only the men and women on the United States team, but also athletes from other countries.”
Meltzer served as an assistant coach while in Israel, working closely with head coach Craig Hoffman. With that pair leading the way, the United States rowing team swept the competition, winning gold in each event, including the men’s and women’s single sculls, men’s and women’s double sculls, the men’s and women’s pair and the men’s and women’s four. “We had lots of talent on our team; that was evident from the first time we hit the water. But the young men and women we worked with had a great work ethic and attitude and that made our jobs as coaches a little easier.” She continued, “Following our pre-camp we thought we had a chance to do something special, but to win gold in every event was fulfilling for each one of us.”
In addition to her on-water success, Meltzer also had a chance to tour the country and meet new friends along the way. “Israel is an incredible country with a rich history and wonderful people. I had previously been to some of the sites we toured, but that did not diminish how much I enjoyed seeing them again. I also saw some things for the first time and am eager to return.” She continued, “We grew close to the athletes from other countries while we were there, too, particularly the rowers. It’s always exciting for me to meet people from other cultures and backgrounds; it gives you a sense of how much is out there in the world.”
Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel (MUSA) has an extensive history of enriching Jewish lives through athletic, cultural and educational programs. The organization is the official sponsor of the United States Team to the World Maccabiah Games, the Pan American Maccabi Games and the Maccabi competitions in Europe and Australia, as well as a co-founder of the JCC Maccabi Games for teens in North America. As the official Maccabi representative in the U.S., Maccabi USA supports Jewish athletic endeavors, enhanced by cultural and educational activities in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora.
