MONTEVALLO, Ala. - For two weeks during the summer of 2022 University of Montevallo men's swimming junior Jacob Rubin participated as a member of the USA Open delegation to the 21^st Maccabi Games in Israel.

The Games, known as the Jewish Olympics, have been held every four years since 1932. This year almost 40 competitive sports – from swimming to fencing to ice hockey to basketball – attracted at least 10,000 participants from over 60 countries around the world.

In swimming, the USA delegation faced top swimmers from 15 other countries along with the Israeli National and Olympic Team. In the swimming long course category, Rubin came in fifth in each one of his signature events, the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, and either led off or anchored six relays as a freestyle specialist. Team USA swam to five silver medals in the relays and one gold. During the gold medal-winning relay, team USA chased the Israeli team in the 4 X 50 meter freestyle before Rubin slapped the wall, winning the event by .01 seconds.

"I was proud to swim for the USA," said Rubin. "I toured an amazing country and made lifelong friends both among my teammates and my competitors."