WALTHAM, Mass. -- Graduate student Shae Regan of Littleton, Massachusetts, from the women’s cross country team and sophomore Daniel Shemesh of Modiin, Israel, and the men’s tennis team have been named the Brandeis University Athletes of the Week for the week ending September 21. The Brandeis Athlete of the Week program is presented by The Chateau Restaurant and Jake n JOES Sports Grille.
Regan, competing in just her second meet for the Judges, led the Brandeis women’s cross country team to a 12th-place finish at the UMass Dartmouth Invitational. She ran the six-kilometer course in 22:36.82 to finish in 37th place overall, eighth among Division III competitors. The Judges are ranked eighth in the East Region in Division III this season.
Brandeis returns to action on Friday, October 3, when they travel to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to take part in the Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh University.
Shemesh, who was also named University Athletic Association Men’s Tennis Player of the Week, won the ‘A’ singles title at the 2025 Middlebury Invitational over the weekend. Seeded second in the tournament, Shemesh won his first-round match over a foe from Skidmore, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2). In the second and third rounds, he met opponents from host Middlebury, winning, 6-4, 6-4, in the quarterfinals, and 6-3, 6-1, in the semifinals against the third seed. In the final match, Shemesh outlasted Tarun Korwar of Hamilton, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 17-15. Shemesh also reached the semifinals of the 'A' doubles draw with junior Pierce Garbett of Coral Gables, Florida, winning 8-5 in the quarters after receiving a bye, but falling in the semis to the eventual champs from Middlebury, 8-4.
In addition to Shemesh's success, Brandeis had three of four semifinalists in the 'B' singles flight, including champion junior Huasen Dong of Richmond Hill, Ontario. The Brandeis men's tennis team returns to action on October 3-5 with the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Northeastern Regional at MIT and Tufts.
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."
Regan is a 2021 graduate of Littleton High School. For more information on Brandeis women’s cross country visit their web page at https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/womens-cross-country.
Shemesh is a 2024 graduate of Ironi Hei High School Modiin. For more information on Brandeis men’s tennis, visit their web page at https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/mens-tennis.
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.
