As the Olympic flame is lit on July 26, 2024, in Paris, France, marking the commencement of the XXXIII Olympiad, Team USA will proudly be represented by 23 exceptional athletes from New Jersey. This year’s Games promise an electrifying display of talent across 32 sports, including some new additions to the Olympic roster. Here’s a closer look at the Garden State’s standout competitors and their respective sports.
Gymnastics
- Hezly Rivera (Oradell): At just 16 years old, Hezly Rivera is the youngest member of Team USA. Her impressive skills have already made her a standout in the gymnastics arena, and many are eagerly watching her Olympic debut.
Track and Field
- Curtis Thompson (Florence): Returning from the 2020 Olympics, Curtis Thompson continues to be a formidable force in track and field.
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Dunellen): A veteran of the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone boasts two gold medals and remains a top contender in her events.
- Keturah Orji (Mount Olive): Also a returning athlete from the 2016 and 2020 Games, Keturah Orji is well-known for her exceptional performance in the field events.
- Sam Mattis (East Brunswick): A key player in the field events, Sam Mattis will aim to make a significant impact.
- Catarina Guimaraes (Cranford): Representing Team USA as a Paralympian, Catarina Guimaraes brings a wealth of experience and determination to the track.
Triathlon
- Morgan Pearson (New Vernon): After a stellar performance in the 2020 Olympics, where he earned a silver medal, Morgan Pearson returns with high hopes for the 2024 Games.
Soccer
- Paxten Aaronson (Medford): An emerging star in American soccer, Paxten Aaronson will be showcasing his skills on the international stage.
- Casey Murphy (Bridgewater): A key player in the women’s soccer team, Casey Murphy is set to make her mark in Paris.
- John Tolkin (Chatham): Another soccer standout, John Tolkin, will bring his talents to the world’s biggest stage.
Swimming
- Jack Alexy (Morristown): With a reputation for speed and precision, Jack Alexy is a swimmer to watch this year.
- Nic Fink (Morristown): A returning Olympian from 2020, Nic Fink is looking to build on his previous successes.
- Christie Raleigh Crossley (Toms River): Competing as a Paralympian, Christie Raleigh Crossley brings strength and resilience to the swimming pool.
Basketball
- Bam Adebayo (Newark): Known for his dynamic presence on the court, Bam Adebayo will be a key player for the U.S. basketball team.
Field Hockey
- Amanda Golini (Randolph): Representing the U.S. in field hockey, Amanda Golini will be crucial to the team’s success in Paris.
Fencing
- Elizabeth Tartakovsky (Livingston): A skilled fencer, Elizabeth Tartakovsky brings her competitive edge to the Olympics.
- Jackie Dubrovich (Riverdale): Another talented fencer from New Jersey, Jackie Dubrovich is set to shine in her events.
- Mitchell Saron (Ridgewood): A key figure in fencing, Mitchell Saron will look to make an impact on the Olympic stage.
Sport Climbing
- Jesse Grupper (Upper Montclair): Making his mark in sport climbing, Jesse Grupper is ready to tackle the new Olympic discipline.
Rowing
- Molly Reckford (Short Hills): A returning Olympian from 2020, Molly Reckford continues to be a strong contender in rowing.
Golf
- Scottie Scheffler (Ridgewood): One of golf’s top players, Scottie Scheffler will represent New Jersey with skill and precision.
Table Tennis
- Amy Wang (Sewell): A top competitor in table tennis, Amy Wang is set to display her exceptional skills at the Games.
Judo
- Jack Yonezuka (West Long Branch): Representing the U.S. in judo, Jack Yonezuka will bring his expertise to the Olympic mat.
As the world tunes in to watch the 2024 Summer Olympics, the spotlight will shine brightly on these 23 talented athletes from New Jersey. Their hard work, dedication, and impressive skills have earned them a place on Team USA, and they are poised to make their mark on the global stage. The Games in Paris promise to be an exhilarating showcase of athleticism and sportsmanship, and New Jersey’s finest will undoubtedly contribute to the excitement and excellence of the competition.
There will be lots of NJ ties in Paris for the Olympic games this summer, running July 26 through Aug. 11 — with events airing on NBC and online at NBC.com.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Track)
Hometown: Dunellen
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, now a California resident, the Union Catholic High School grad went to Rio as part of her first Team USA experience — before taking two gold medals in Tokyo.
On June 30, McLaughlin-Levrone broke her own record in the women’s 400m hurdles to make her third Olympic team.
Hezly Rivera (Gymnastics)
Hometown: Oradell
Hezly Rivera was born in Hackensack and spent her childhood in Bergen County — before her gymnastic talent took her to Texas for training.
The 16-year-old is the youngest member of Team USA headed to the Paris Olympic games.
Sam Mattis (Track and Field)
Hometown: East Brunswick
Sam Mattis, a 2012 graduate of East Brunswick High School, has qualified for the Paris Olympic games in men’s discus. He also competed at the Tokyo Olympics.
Keturah Orji (Track and Field)
Hometown: Mount Olive
Keturah Orji set a NJ record as a Mount Olive High School senior in 2014, before eventually moving to Georgia.
Orji heads to her third Olympic games, hoping to medal in the women’s triple jump.
Curtis Thompson (Track and Field)
Hometown: Florence
Curtis Thompson is headed to his second Olympic Games — winning at the trials in javelin throw to qualify for Paris.
The 2014 graduate of Florence Township Memorial High School then competed for Mississippi State, winning an NCAA title in 2016.
Nic Fink (Swimming)
Hometown: Morristown
Nic Fink has qualified for his second Olympic games.
The 30-year-old swimmer will compete in the 100-meter breaststroke, after winning the trials.
Jack Alexy (Swimming)
Hometown: Mendham
Jack Alexy racked up records while swimming at Delbarton School.
The 6 foot 8 inch swimmer qualified for the 100-meter freestyle — he heads to his first Olympics with two other NJ natives in his sport, alone.
Matthew Fallon (Swimming)
Hometown: Warren
Matthew Fallon set records at the Pingry School, around the same time that U.S. teammate Alexy was swimming strong at Delbarton.
Fallon qualified for Paris in the men’s 200m breaststroke.
Casey Murphy (Soccer)
Hometown: Bridgewater
Goal keeper Casey Murphy not only grew up in Bridgewater, she also graduated from Rutgers University before making the U.S. Women’s Soccer team. Murphy made her World Cup debut last year.
The U.S. Women’s Soccer Olympic roster was announced on June 26.
While they’re not NJ natives, four women’s pros headed to Paris play soccer for the NY/NY Gotham FC — Rose LaValle, Tierna Davidson, Jenna Nighswonger and Emily Sonnett.
John Tolkin (Soccer)
Hometown: Chatham
This summer marks the return of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Team to the Games for the first time since 2008.
John Tolkin grew up in Chatham and is a defender for the New York Red Bulls.
Paxten Aaronson (Soccer)
Hometown: Medford
Paxten Aaronson followed his older brother, Brenden and was signed to the Philadelphia Union at the age of 16.
He has been playing professionally this year in the Netherlands — before training with the U.S. Men’s Olympic Soccer team.
Bam Adebayo (Basketball)
Hometown: Newark
Before Paris, “Bam” Adebayo won gold at the Olympic Games in Tokyo with the men’s basketball team.
Adebayo has played for the Miami Heat for his entire NBA career.
Jackie Dubrovich (Fencing)
Hometown: Riverdale
Jackie Dubrovich has qualified for her second Olympics, after also fencing in Tokyo. The Columbia University graduate began fencing at age 8.
Elizabeth Tartakovsky (Fencing)
Hometown: Livingston
Elizabeth Tartakovsky heads to her first Olympics in Paris.
The Livingston native is another Harvard University grad alongside U.S. teammate and NY native Lauren Scruggs.
Mitchell Saron (Fencing)
Hometown: Ridgewood
Mitchell Saron has qualified for his first Olympic games. The Ridgewood native graduated from Harvard University in 2023.
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Helen Maroulis (Wrestling)
Hometown: Hoboken
Helen Maroulis has qualified for her third Olympic games — she has previously won gold (Rio Olympics) and bronze (Tokyo Olympics) medals.
Jesse Grupper (Sport Climbing)
Hometown: Upper Montclair
Jesse Grupper started climbing at the age of 6 and began competing three years later.
The Paris games mark the first Olympic competition in sport climbing (as well as break dancing, skateboarding and surfing)
Amanda Golini (Field Hockey)
Hometown: Randolph
Veteran and co-captain Amanda Golini helps lead the 16-athlete U.S. women’s field hockey roster for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Born Amanda Magadan, she said she picked up her “first stick in High School and never looked back.”
Morgan Pearson (Triathlon)
Hometown: New Vernon
Morgan Pearson took a silver medal at the Olympics in Tokyo and has again qualified for Paris.
The Delbarton grad was originally a kid in Spring Lake, where he started as a competitive swimmer, ocean lifeguard and runner, according to his Olympic bio.
Amy Wang (Table Tennis)
Hometown: Sewell
The 21-year-old Amy Wang made her first U.S. National Team at just 12. She now heads to her first Olympic games.
Jack Yonezuka (Judo)
Hometown: West Long Branch
Jack Yonezuka is the son of five-time U.S. National Judo champion, Nick Yonezuka.
The 2021 graduate of Shore Regional High School, recently returned and spoke to a cheering gym about his journey, qualifying for his first Olympics.
Molly Reckford (Rowing)
Hometown: Short Hills
Molly Reckford previously competed in the lightweight double sculls at the Tokyo Olympic Games, before now heading to Paris.
NJ TIES: Kelsey Reelick (left), Claire Collins (right)
There are also more than a dozen U.S. rowing athletes who have been training in Princeton before heading to Paris.
Kelsey Reelick is among them — she graduated from Princeton University and says Lake Carnegie is “her favorite place to compete.” Claire Collins is another Princeton grad who trains in NJ.
(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
NJ TIES: Allie Wilson (Track)
Monmouth University graduate Allie Wilson has qualified for the Olympic games in Paris, finishing second in the women’s 800m final.
Wilson grew up in Wallingford, Pennsylvania. She is the third Monmouth U grad to become an Olympian, behind soccer star Christie Pearce (formerly Rampone) and swimmer Wendy Boglioli.
