the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey is set to shine on the global stage at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, held from July 26 to August 11 in Paris. The Ridgewood blog has rounded up all the Garden State athletes who will be competing, showcasing the state’s incredible home-grown talent.
These athletes, many of whom started in local clubs and leagues, have risen to international prominence through sheer dedication and hard work. As they prepare to travel to Paris, their stories inspire pride and excitement throughout New Jersey.
Gymnastics
- Hezly Rivera: Born in Hackensack and raised in Oradell, Rivera, 16, is making her Olympic debut. She secured a spot on the women’s team, competing alongside veterans like Simone Biles. Rivera started at ENA Gymnastics in Paramus before moving to Texas for intensive training.
Soccer
- Men’s Soccer:
- John Tolkin: From Chatham borough, Tolkin, 21, is a defender for the New York Red Bulls and an Olympic team qualifier. He expressed his excitement and honor in representing his small town on such a significant stage.
- Paxten Aaronson: Hailing from Medford, Aaronson, 20, is a midfielder who began his career with the Philadelphia Union and now plays professionally in Europe. His older brother, Brendan, competed in the 2022 World Cup.
- Women’s Soccer:
- Casey Murphy: A graduate of Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School and Rutgers, Murphy will serve as a goalkeeper in her first Olympic appearance.
- Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, Rose Lavelle, Jenna Nighswonger, and Lynn Williams: All currently play for the New Jersey/New York Gotham Football Club, with Williams named as an alternate.
Track & Field
- Allie Wilson: A Monmouth University graduate, Wilson will compete in the women’s 800-meter race.
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone: Central Jersey’s own McLaughlin, 24, from Dunellen, is a world-record holder in the women’s 400-meter hurdles and a two-time gold medalist.
- Keturah Orji: Born in Hoboken and a graduate of Mount Olive High School, Orji, 28, will compete in her third Olympics in the triple jump.
- Sam Mattis: From East Brunswick, Mattis, 30, competes in discus and is a 2015 NCAA national champion.
- Curtis Thompson: From Florence, NJ, Thompson, 28, will compete in the javelin.
Swimming
- Nic Fink: A Morristown native and Pingry School alumnus, Fink, 30, specializes in breaststroke and is a six-time World Championship gold medalist.
- Matt Fallon: From Warren Township, Fallon, 21, holds the American record for the 200-meter breaststroke.
- Jack Alexy: A Mendham native and Delbarton School graduate, Alexy, 21, will compete in the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle sprints.
Triathlon
- Morgan Pearson: From Spring Lake and New Vernon, Pearson, 30, won silver in Tokyo and is a seven-time All-American from the University of Colorado.
Judo
- Jack Yonezuka: From West Long Branch, Yonezuka, 21, is making his Olympic debut, following in the footsteps of his Olympian father and coach grandfather.
Fencing
- Mitchell Saron: A Ridgewood native and Harvard graduate, Saron, 23, will compete in men’s saber.
- Jackie Dubrovich: From Riverdale and a Columbia graduate, Dubrovich, 29, will compete in women’s fencing.
- Elizabeth Tartakovsky: From Livingston and a Harvard graduate, Tartakovsky, 24, will compete in women’s fencing.
- Laura Decker: From Bridgewater, Decker, 34, will serve as a fencing referee, bringing her extensive experience to the Olympic stage.
Men’s Basketball
- Bam Adebayo: Born in Newark and raised in North Carolina, Adebayo, 26, a three-time NBA All-Star, will compete in his second Olympics.
Field Hockey
- Amanda Golini: From Randolph and a Lafayette College graduate, Golini, 29, is the captain of the USA women’s field hockey team.
Rowing
- Molly Reckford: From Short Hills and a Dartmouth College graduate, Reckford, 31, will compete in women’s lightweight double sculls.
- Kelsey Reelick and Claire Collins: Both trained on Lake Carnegie at Princeton University.
Sports Climbing
- Jesse Grupper: From Upper Montclair, Grupper, 27, is a member of the American Men’s Bouldering & Lead Combined team and a Tufts University graduate.
Table Tennis
- Amy Wang: From Sewell, Wang, 21, began playing ping pong at age 4 and was trained by her professional player father.
Wrestling
- Helen Maroulis: A Maryland native who moved to Hoboken in 2018, Maroulis, 32, enjoys the local cafes and will compete in international wrestling competitions.
As New Jersey’s athletes prepare to compete, they carry the hopes and pride of their communities with them to Paris.
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