Joshua Steves, 15, of the Jewish Community Center’s Houston Gymnastics Center is the first local gymnast to qualify to compete in the World Maccabiah Games. Steves competed at the qualifying trials with three other HGC gymnasts in Norman, Oklahoma.
The World Maccabiah Games are held in Israel every four years. The 18th Maccabiah Games will take place in July 2009.
Steves qualified for the Jr. Division Team which consists of 15-18 year olds. Only the top six make the team. Steves placed 5th in a group of 16 vying for the qualification.
Others who competed from the JCC Houston Gymnastics Center include Zachary Strauss in the men’s division and Lauren Rosen and Robin Croft in the women’s division. More than 100 gymnasts competed in the invitational.
“We’re very proud of all our athletes, but want to give Josh a special Mazel Tov as he is the first homegrown gymnast that we’ve had qualify for the Israel Games. We’re also very proud of coaches Colby Van Cleave and Adam Benas who traveled with the group to Oklahoma,” says Tim Erwin, HGC Program Director.
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