The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Teaneck Doghouse would like to recognize 16-year-old Liora Picker as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The junior at the Salanter Akiba School (SAR) in Riverdale captured second place in a cross country 5K last month with a remarkable time of 24:49.

Liora, congratulations on an amazing finish. Who is your role model and why?

My role model is my mom. She is the one who got me started running. Since fifth grade, we used to go out almost every Sunday morning. When I was tired and wanted to walk, she pushed me to continue.

What is your favorite sport?

My favorite sport is cross country. Running is one of the few sports that you can do anywhere, all you need is a pair of shoes. You don’t need to organize a game or bring heavy equipment. I can run virtually wherever and whenever. When I am running, I am doing it for myself; that is my me time. I find it really meditative and I often wind up lost in my thoughts. Running is also very stress relieving. If I’ve had a hard day, or am stressed about an upcoming issue, I will just run, and it makes me feel better. I don’t know if this makes sense, but running allows me to leave my world, take a step back and get some perspective.

What is your greatest sports accomplishment?

My greatest sports accomplishment was running the Jerusalem half marathon. The race was through the old city and included many, many steep hills. While the views were amazing, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Reaching that finish line was one of the proudest moments of life—10 months of training had led to this incredible moment.

Who is your favorite athlete and why?

My favorite athlete is Gabby Douglas, though she is not a runner, I think there are some values that all athletes share, namely perseverance and discipline. Gabby Douglas exemplifies these as she has overcome nearly insurmountable obstacles and excelled in her sport.

What is your pre-race routine, if you have one?

My pre-race routine involves lots of stretching. No matter if it’s a 5K race or a half marathon, I get really nervous before any race. I try to do a deep breathing routine. That day for breakfast, I usually eat a hard-boiled egg and fruit.

What is your earliest sport memory?

My earliest sports memory was not actually related to cross country, rather soccer. At the age of 5, my parents had signed me up for the Teaneck rec soccer league. As a 5-year-old girl, soccer was not my forte and I spent most of the time sitting on the field, picking grass. I remember during the last game of the season, I decided to try and I spent the whole game running after the ball. Low and behold I actually scored a goal, it was actually for the other team, but to my 5-year-old self that was merely a technicality.

What is the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you at a race?

My weirdest sports memory happened a few years ago at a local 5K race. After the race, they were raffling away items. I, along with one of my sisters and a friend, stood excitedly waiting to hear them announce the raffle winners. The first item was two tickets to a Knicks game (worth $500). My friend, Jonah, and I had been sharing a ticket. When the announcer dictated the numbers, with each additional number, we saw that ours matched until…WE WON! It was crazy.

What is your favorite sport memory?

My favorite sports memory happened while I was in middle school. My mom had started a running club at our shul and we were all running a 5K race at Bergen Community College. I was not very fast back then, and ended up being one of the last people to finish. As I approached the finish line, my whole team stood there cheering and supporting me. Almost as important as running the race, is the people around you who support you through it.

My other favorite sports memory happened a few months ago. I ran the NJ half marathon with my mom. She is the one who got me started on running, and it was the first long-distance race that I had run with her. We crossed the finish line together exhausted and happy. I had a great time!

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?

When I am not playing sports, my favorite thing to do is bake/cook, especially Israeli food. I have a family of six, and I love cooking for them and trying different recipes on them.

What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?

The best thing about being a Sportstar is having people support you. I love having my coaches and teammates waiting for me at the finish line, cheering me through those ending strides and I love being the one to cheer on others. Part of my love for running is the people I run with and who encourage me.

The Teaneck Doghouse Sportstar of the Week will receive a $15 gift at the Teaneck Doghouse. Please send nominees for an upcoming Jewish Link of New Jersey and Teaneck Doghouse Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].