WALTHAM, Mass. -- Sophomore Mikaela Beeler of
Livermore, California, and first-year
Eitan Finkel of
W. Vancouver, British Columbia, members of the women’s cross country and men’s swimming and diving teams, have been named Brandeis University Athletes of the Week for the week ending November 1. The Brandeis Athlete of the Week program is presented by The Chateau Restaurant and Jake n JOES Sports Grille.
Beeler earned her second career All-University Athletic Association honor and first in cross country with a 12th-place finish at the 2026 Association championships hosted by the University of Chicago on October 31. Beeler ran 21:41.0 to earn second-team honors. She was 11 seconds out of a top-seven and first-team All-Association honor. This was just the second time that Beeler broke 22 minutes over six kilometers, lowering her p.r. by 11.6 seconds. She improved 29 places from her 2026 UAA finish and was the fourth sophomore to cross the finish line.
Beeler had previously earned All-Association outdoors in the 10,000-meter run at last year's outdoor track and field championships.
Beeler and the Brandeis women’s cross country team will travel to Portland, Maine, on Nov. 14th for the NCAA Division III East Regional Championship, hosted by Bates College.
Finkel was the outstanding performer for the Brandeis men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams at a multi-meet at WPI against the host Engineers, Coast Guard, and Babson, as well as Smith College on the women’s side. Although the Judges lost each of their team meets, Finkel won both diving events. In the one-meter, he won by 66 points with a score of 258.90. In the three-meter event, he scored 226.55 to win by 44.25 points.
Brandeis swimming and diving returns to action with their annual Battle of Waltham at home against Bentley University on Friday evening at 6 p.m.
This is the 11th 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."
Beeler is a 2025 graduate of Livermore High School. For more information about Brandeis University women’s cross country, please visit their website at
https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/wcross
Finkel is a 2026 graduate of École Sentinel Secondary. For more information about Brandeis University men’s swimming and diving, please visit their website at
https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/mswim.
For more information on Brandeis athletics, visit our web page at www.brandeisjudges.com or follow us on social media on Instagram, Facebook, and X, @BrandeisJudges.
