By Annie Butterworth Jones
Associate Editor

Ellen Itzler’s championship swimming career had its unlikely beginnings in a cup of coffee.

“I would sit by the pool, sipping and relaxing, and watch my daughter’s swim team practice for hours each afternoon,” said Itzler, a real estate attorney in Ft. Lauderdale. “Finally, I started to ask myself, ‘What’s wrong with this picture?’”

At her daughter Hannah’s encouragement, Itzler left her coffee mug poolside and began her own daily practices with the Ft. Lauderdale Aquatics Club.

“I jumped in the water and had no clue what I was doing,” Itzler admitted. She had no prior swimming experience, but Itzler used the skills she has learned as an attorney to help keep her focused.

“I like challenging myself. I like the intellectual challenge of practicing law and the physical challenge of athletic competition. Both require skill, dedication, discipline, and hard work.”

So with skill and dedication, Itzler started swimming — and started winning local meets.

That was five years ago. This summer, Itzler’s times were enough to qualify her for the 18th Maccabiah Games. The third largest sporting event in the world, the Maccabiah Games are often referred to as the “Jewish Olympics.” Itzler grew up hearing about the games but never imagined she would one day be a member of the U.S. team.

In July, Itzler joined 900 American participants in Israel; she and 10 other athletes made up the U.S. masters swim team for ages 35 and older. Although her times had qualified her for the games, Itzler was not aware of her teammates’ or her competitors’ times. She had no idea how she might fare on the international level — until she won a gold medal in her first event.

“It was beyond exciting,” Itzler said.

The excitement continued as Itzler went on to win gold in the 100-meter backstroke, an event she had never undertaken in competition.

“I reached the wall, turned around, and no one was there,” Itzler recalls. “I just knew I had come in last and that all my competitors were already out of the water!”

In three days of competition, Itzler collected 11 medals: six gold, three silver, and two bronze. She contacted her family via text messages to notify them of her wins.

“They were all so supportive,” Itzler said. “It was just one of those experiences that was perfect.”

For more information on the Maccabiah Games, visit www.maccabiusa.com.