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32 | SEPTEMBER 15 • 2022
SPORTS
ON THE COVER
Burke Jackson, the school’s
first African American
teacher, and former princi-
pal Vincent Reed.
The high school is part
of the District of Columbia
Public Schools system and is
in the Tenleytown neighbor-
hood of D.C. Its enrollment
in the 2020-21 school year
was 1,951.
HARD-WORKING FAMILY
Education and work are
important in Mica Gelb’s
family.
Betsy Shapiro is in her
30th year as a deputy direc-
tor in the civil division of
the U.S. Department of
Justice. She graduated from
the Georgetown Law School
in 1986.
Amos Gelb, an Emmy
Award-winning senior pro-
ducer at CNN from 1987-
2000, is the founder and
director of the Washington
Media Institute, which pro-
vides college students with
an intensive media boot
camp to help them bridge
the gap between graduation
and the workplace.
He also is the publish-
er of D.C. Witness and
Baltimore Witness, not-for-
profit websites that strive
to bring transparency and
accountability to each city’s
criminal justice system.
He graduated in 1986
from Harvard University,
where he was a member of
the college’s successful row-
ing team.
Mica Gelb’s sisters are
Noa, 26, and Eliya, 23.
Noa just earned a master’s
degree at the University of
Edinburgh (Scotland) and
plans to continue her acting
career.
Eliya wants to be an ath-
letic trainer. She was an
intern in the U-M football
team’s athletic training
department last season —
she and her brother were
both on the field at the Big
Ten championship game
Dec. 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium
in Indianapolis — and now
she’s a graduate assistant
athletic trainer with the
Baylor University softball
team in Texas while pursu-
ing a master’s degree.
Mica Gelb, No. 55, stands nearby
while his teammates say a pre-
game prayer.
GELB FAMILY
Swimmer Boosts His Michigan Senior
Olympics Medal Count
After not competing in the Michigan Senior
Olympics for two years, swimmer Steve Matz
wasn’t about to miss out again.
So despite not training for the two weeks
leading up to last month’s Senior Olympics
because of a case of COVID-19 that sapped
his stamina, in his words, the triple-boosted
Matz swam at Oakland University.
The 70-year-old Franklin resident won two
gold medals and one bronze medal in the
men’s 70-74 age group.
The golds were in the 50-yard breaststroke
(:38.38) and 100 breaststroke (1:26.75). The bronze was in the 50 free-
style (:31.94).
“I was surprised with how well I did,” Matz said. “I was especially con-
cerned about the 100.
“When you compete, your adrenaline can take over and you do more
than you think you can do. It also helped that I’m in good shape.”
Matz first swam in the Senior Olympics in 2016. He won two gold
medals and one bronze medal and set state records in the 50 and 100
breaststroke in his age group.
In the next three years, Matz won seven gold medals and two silver
medals in swimming at the Senior Olympics. Then came a two-year lull.
The Senior Olympics were not held in 2020 because of the COVID-
19 pandemic, and Matz
didn’t participate in 2021
because of concerns about
competing indoors.
Matz also swims in the
Michigan Masters compe-
tition. He’s the defending
state champion in the 50
and 100 breaststroke in his
age group.
Competitive swimming
isn’t Matz’s only passion.
He’s a trial lawyer at his
own law firm, Matz Injury
Law in Southfield.
quick hits
BY STEVE STEIN
Boxing Organization to Honor
Orthodox Promoter
Orthodox boxing promoter Dmitriy Salita will be honored by the
World Boxing Council at the organization’s 60th annual convention in
November for his “contributions to resurrecting professional boxing in
the great city of Detroit.”
Salita Promotions’ regular Detroit Brawl cards have featured top-
notch local and international
boxers. A WBC official
presented Salita with a medal
and announced the convention
honor at a recent Detroit Brawl
show.
Salita is the WBC’s
co-ambassador to the Middle
East.
The WBC is an international
professional boxing
organization. It’s one of four
major organizations that
sanction pro boxing bouts.
SALITA PROMOTIONS
Dmitriy Salita promotes a
nationally televised 2019 fight
that featured two-time Olympic
gold medalist and world champion
boxer Claressa Shields of Flint.
STEVE MATZ
Steve Matz’s Michigan Senior Olympics
medals.
STEVE MATZ
Steve Matz