Ball State University Athletics
Ridge Strengthens Faith At Maccabi Games
January 13, 2016 | Men's Swimming and Diving
Bradley Ridge's MaccabiUSA Page:
Ball State Sports Link Feature: COMING SOON
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Normally, winter break is a time for Ball State student-athletes to get a little time away from their respective sports, relax and enjoy some down time with family and friends.
This winter break, however, was a little different for Ball State men's swimmer Bradley Ridge who traveled to Santiago, Chile, to represent not only the Cardinals, but his country and his faith in the 13th Annual Pan American Maccabi Games.
During his time in Chili, Ridge not only excelled in the pool, but also gain new insite and a sense of pride competing alongside over 4,000 athletes who shared a common belief.
“While competing at the Maccabi Games, I gained a sense of pride in who I am, and I know I don't have to be afraid of this aspect of my life,” Ridge said. “I don't need to be afraid to tell people I am Jewish. I can say that with the utmost pride, because I know there are communities all over the world who share this pride with me now. I was able to represent that through sports and athletics, and that is something I love even more.”
Sponsored by the Latin American Maccabi Confederation (CLAM), the 2015 Pan American Maccabi Games, held Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Santiago, Chili, were an international multi-sport competition and celebration of Jewish unity, culture, and heritage through athletic competition.
“The most impactful part of the Maccabi experience was the opening ceremony,” Ridge said. “They had all 4,000 athletes, 22 countries and 18 sports gathered together in a football stadium. We were surrounded by people who were there to celebrate and do exactly what we were there to do. It was an immense understanding of what it meant to be there, all of us in one place in the world. Even though it was thousands of miles from home, I still felt connected to home, but at the same time I felt connected to people all over the world who shared that meaning with me.”
Ridge, who traveled to the games as a member of the Open Swimming Team, not only felt a connection to the people he gathered with, but also felt a connection to the water as he collected 11 total medals as a member of the Open Swimming Team.
Ridge's medal count included eight golds, two silvers and a bronze. He won a medal in every event he competed in over the three days of swimming competition, and helped MaccabiUSA return atop the medal count with 133. Host Chili was second at 95, followed by Argentina with 27.
“Having this meet in the middle of our season meant I had to lay off weights, lay off swimming and yardage to rest up and focus for the meet,” Ridge said. “I trained hard all summer knowing that I would be a couple weeks short on training, and I jumped back in the pool when I got back and have been giving it 400 percent since. I am going to ride the wave until it stops.”
The wave did not stop with his success in Chili, as Ridge won the 100 fly (50.51) and placed second in the 200 fly (1:55.18) in his first meet back with the Cardinals last Friday (Jan. 8). Ridge was also a member of the third-place 200 medley relay (1:35.15) and swam in an exhibition 400 freestyle relay versus IUPUI and Xavier.
Ridge and the Ball State men's swimming & diving team returns to action Saturday, when it hosts Eastern Michigan in a 1 p.m. swim-off at the Lewellen Aquatic Center.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State men's swimming and diving action, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateMSwim on Twitter.
Bradley Ridge's Medal Count at the 2015 Pan American Maccabi Game:
Gold
1. Mixed 13 & Over 400 LCM Medley Relay - 4:34.78
2. Mixed 18 & Over 200 LCM Medley Relay - 2:09.17
3. Men's 12 & Over 200 LCM Freestyle Relay - 1:50.32
4. Men's 18-34 200 Meter Fly - 2:14.05
5. Men's 18-34 100 Meter Backstroke - 1:07.24
6. Men's 18-34 200 Meter Medley Relay - 1:59.45
7. Men's 18-34 100 Meter Fly - 57.49
8. Men's 18-34 400 Meter Medley Relay - 4:35.07
Silver
1. Men's 18-34 50 LCM Butterfly - 26.66
2. Men's 18-34 200 Meter IM - 2:25.16
Bronze
1. Men's 18-34 200 LCM Freestlye - 2:12.83
