More Than Medals: Colorado at the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games
The 2026 Colorado delegation to the JCC Maccabi Games in Kansas City included 28 athletes and two delegation heads, with Colorado represented in basketball, flag football, baseball, volleyball, swimming, and tennis.
For 21 of our athletes, the Games were an experience they had been anticipating since last summer. For seven athletes, three coaches, and one delegation head, this was their first time attending and what a first Maccabi experience it was!
First-year Maccabi athlete Everett Amiel played on a U15 boys baseball team alongside athletes from Westchester, New York, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As the only Colorado athlete on the team, Everett knew none of his teammates before a brief Zoom call just days before the Games.
Earlier in the spring, Everett’s brother, Leo, encouraged him to take a chance and participate. Everett quickly found his groove. During their first two days of tournament play, the athletes focused on learning one another’s playing styles, developing their team systems, and coming together as a group.
The team was coached by Nick Graves and Brian Moore. Nick is married to Keri Graves, the JCC’s Engagement Program Manager, and Brian is an experienced Maccabi coach from Westchester. The two coaches brought incredible energy and synergy to the team, ultimately guiding the athletes to an upset victory and a gold medal.
The championship game was one to remember. After falling behind 4–1, the team rallied in the seventh inning to complete an unforgettable comeback. Everett, one of the youngest athletes on the team, pitched all seven innings and helped bring in the gold.
The camaraderie and encouragement pouring out of the dugout made it clear that this newly formed team embodied the Maccabi values of Ga’ava—Pride—and Lev Tov—Big Heartedness.
Hannah Graham was Colorado’s sole swimming representative and had an outstanding first Maccabi Games, bringing home nine medals. But just as meaningful as her accomplishments in the pool were the relationships she formed outside of it.
Knowing Hannah would be Colorado’s only swimmer, Assistant Delegation Head Dawson McCann coordinated with three other delegations to ensure she would stay with swimmers her age. Hannah quickly developed close friendships with her roommates and host family, who had a daughter of the same age.
At Thursday night’s closing party, everyone could hear Hannah and the other swimmers coming—their medals clanking as they walked and their newfound friendship filling the evening with laughter.
By the end of Thursday’s athletic competition, Colorado athletes had earned 11 medals: nine by Hannah, one with Everett’s U15 baseball team, and one by seasoned Maccabi athlete Levi Pollyea in mixed doubles tennis.
The Games were especially meaningful for Zak Landy and Levi Pollyea, who are now officially JCC Maccabi alumni after participating in their final age-eligible year. They will be greatly missed!
A special thank-you goes to our Colorado Maccabi coaches: Marty Ashkenazi, Nick Graves, Mike Kboudi, Kevin McVeigh, and David Rubens. They put their own lives on hold for a week to ensure that our athletes had support, encouragement, and guidance—both on and off the field of play.
There are few experiences quite like JCC Maccabi. It is a place where young athletes can push their limits alongside Jewish teens from across North America and around the world—all while developing confidence, embracing Jewish values, and forming connections that can last a lifetime.
We are already looking ahead to the 2027 Games! Interested athletes and families can
