Two local athletes will be among the honorees at the 12th annual Jewish Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 28 at 10:30 a.m. at the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center at 74 Hauppauge Road in Commack, N.Y.
United States Military Academy gymnast Daniel Helmer of Colts Neck and University of Minnesota wrestler Damion Hahn of Lakewood will be honored for their achievements.
Tickets to the event are $10 and are available by calling (631) 462-9800, ext. 125. Seniors and children under 12 are free.
Hahn and Helmer are two of the five honorees for the Marty Glickman Out-standing Jewish Scholastic Athlete of the Year.
This past weekend, Hahn, a graduate of Lakewood High School, became Minnesota’s third two-time NCAA champion with a 7-2 decision over Ryan Fulsaas of Iowa at 197 pounds.
Hahn finishes his career as the school’s fourth four-time All-American and the first wrestler in school history to be a two-time national champion and four-time All-American. Hahn finished his career with a 118-21 record for an .849 winning percentage.
Hahn’s 33-1 record this season is the fourth best in terms of winning percentage in school history, while his season-ending 27-match winning streak is the sixth longest in the history of the program.
Helmer and fellow West Point cadet Dustin Greenhill, also being honored as a Marty Glickman Outstanding Jewish Scholastic Athlete of the Year, will both be unable to attend as they are stationed in the Middle East. Helmer recently became the 82nd West Point cadet to be named as a Rhodes Scholar.
"Our honorees truly exemplify what the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame is all about," said Cliff Bart, director of the Hall of Fame. "In their own way, each of them have overcome adversities, challenged stereotypes and blazed a trail for others to follow. We hope that by honoring these Jewish men and women for their accomplishments we can show young Jews that there are no limitations for them."