WALTHAM, Mass. -- Junior Sophie Segal of Hartsdale, New York, and sophomore Alex Zakheim of Bergenfield, New Jersey, members of the women’s track and field team and men’s basketball team, respectively, have been named the Brandeis University Athletes of the Week for the week ending Jan. 24. The Brandeis Athlete of the Week program is presented by The Chateau Restaurant and Jake n JOES Sports Grille.
Segal was the runner-up in the high jump at the 2026 Lyons Invitational at Wheaton College. She posted a personal-best height of 1.58 meters (5 feet, 2 ¼ inches). She was successful on each of her attempts at her first four heights, including 1.58, before missing at 1.63 meters to finish in second place. Her height is currently ranked 69th in Division III this season.
The Brandeis Track and Field teams will compete this weekend at the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic.
Zakheim helped the Judges to a 1-1 record on their annual University Athletic Association Midwest road trip, averaging 21.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He shot 58% from the field (18-31), 25% from 3 (1-4) and 83% from the line (5-6). In a 72-56 loss at #2 Chicago, Zakheim had 15 points, three assists, and two rebounds. In the Judges' 85-81 upset at #18 WashU, he had a game-high 27 points on 11-15 shooting with a 3-pointer and 4-4 from the line. He also tied for the team lead with seven rebounds and had five assists and two steals, also team-bests. The win was Brandeis's first in St. Louis since 2016.
Overall this season, Zakheim is second on the Judges in scoring, averaging 18.8 points per game. He is also leading the squad in assists, at 4.0 per game, and steals at 1.6 per contest. He ranks third in the UAA in scoring, fourth in steals and fifth in assists. His 21.0 points per game in league contests is tied for second.
The Judges are currently 10-6 overall, 3-2 in the UAA, tied for third place. They will play host to Carnegie Mellon University on Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. in another conference contest.
This is the tenth year that the Brandeis Athlete of the Week program has been presented by The Chateau Restaurant Group. The Athlete of the Year Program highlights top Brandeis student-athletes who have had an outstanding athletic achievement in the week prior. Each selected student-athlete will be featured on the Brandeis athletics homepage and inside the Chateau Waltham and Jake n JOES.
Owned and operated by the Nocera Family, the Chateau Restaurant of Waltham opened in 1933 and set the standard for providing the tradition of Italian family dining, friendly service, and quality food at reasonable prices for its customers. Located on 195 School Street, with 900 seats, the Chateau is always ready to accommodate large parties.
The Nocera Family consists of 6 brothers who have always had a passion for playing sports. In 2010, the Nocera Family launched a new concept, Jake n JOES Sports Grille. Jake n JOES Waltham opened in 2014 and is the best place to watch a game and enjoy quality food.
"Brandeis student-athletes are fantastic role models in our community,” says Chateau President Joe Nocera, “They exemplify the ideals of excellence and commitment both on and off the playing field. The Chateau Waltham and Jake n JOES Waltham are proud to partner with Brandeis Athletics to continue to enhance a positive focus within the Waltham Community."
Segal is a 2023 graduate of Ardsley School. For more information on Brandeis women’s track and field, visit their web page at https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/womens-track-and-field.
Zakheim is a 2024 graduate of Perkiomen (Pa.) High School. For more information on Brandeis men’s basketball, visit their web page at https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/mbball.
For more information on Brandeis athletics, visit our web page at www.brandeisjudges.com or follow us on social media on X, Instagram and Facebook @BrandeisJudges.
