Two’s AZA, the oldest chapter in the Order of Aleph Zadik Aleph, has challenged Nordaunian AZA No. 22 to a series of seven athletic competitions to take place during the 2024-25 school year. The winner will be declared winner of the inaugural KC AZA Cup.

If Nordau chooses to accept the challenge, the two chapters will compete in these sports, starting this fall:

  • Flag football
  • Table Tennis
  • Pickleball
  • Bowling
  • Basketball
  • Softball
  • Golf

Dates and point system would be determined at a later date. The football game is being proposed for October or November.

Bryan Persky, Aleph Godol of Two’s AZA, is predicting a 7-0 sweep for Chapter No. 2.

Nordaunian and Two’s have enjoyed a great rivalry spanning nearly 100 years, however it has been over five years since the two chapters had faced one another in a basketball game. The Nordaunian basketball team, consisting of Justin Parmet, Noah Bergh, Eli Zeldin, Sam Nussbaum, Yaron  Heiligman, Ben Rosenthal and Jake Sosland, is coming off a second place finish at the 2024 SRC AZAA Tournament, losing to the Mother Chapter in the finals. Two’s will be led by Sam Hochler, Eli Nathan, Judah Bassin, Will Widman, Hudson Zack, Jake Williams and Bryan Persky. The game will likely be played in March — 100 years after Two’s won the first AZA National Baskeball Championship in 1925.

“We’re running it back,” Hochler said. “It’s our time!”

Two’s will head into the competition as the clear underdog, according to Two’s Advisor David Wexler.

While Two’s won the 1925 AZAA national championship, Nordaunian has also enjoyed success at a national level. Chapter #22 claimed the international AZA basketball championship in 1999. The team, led by co-MVPs Erik Claster and Jonathan Graham, traveled to several locations on the road to the AZAA championship in St. Louis.

“Nordaunian has a long history of dominating in athletics and will be the clear favorite to win the inaugural KC AZA Cup,” Wexler said. “But don’t count out AZA No. 2! Two’s is ready to compete and honor the many great legends that came before them, such legends as Phil Copland, Sidney Magazine and Alvin Zeff. Two’s is ready to shock the world — just like 1925.”

Two’s bowling team will be led by Blue Valley North juniors Eli Nathan and Jake Williams. Both recently competed at the Maccabi Games, where Nathan won first place and six medals and Williams won two medals.

Micah Kramer and Will Widman will compete on Two’s table tennis team.

“I’ve been playing this game since COVID,” Kramer said, “and that has become increasingly valid as COVID gets farther away. You’ve got me and Will … you’re not gonna score more than 5 points in any given game against us.”

Kramer watched every table tennis event at the Summer Olympics, even commentating on some of the games. Kramer patterns his game after French Olympian Alexis Lebrun.

Asked what table tennis experience he has, Widman said: “I played it yesterday. I don’t own a ping pong table. My neighbor does. He is very good so it’s challenging going up again him, but I finally beat him for the first time yesterday. No but seriously … Two’s … we’re just too good. We’re going to win.”

Two’s would like to make the KC AZ Cup an annual event. A cup or trophy will be established for the winning chapter to take home.