Meet Your New Jersey Olympians

They've put in innumerable hours of sweat, blood and tears to get where they are today. They are among the best of the best and are ready to prove their mettle. A total of 529 athletes from 45 states will represent the United States at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. 

They are competing in events as diverse as athletics, fencing, rowing, soccer and basketball. For everyone, from swimmer Katie Ledecky, 15, to 54-year-old equestrian jumper Karen O’Connor, these Games represent the culmination of all the hard work and dedication they've put in to win the coveted medal.

Here are a few quick facts about our New Jersey Olympians, beginning with those from our area!

Sex: Male 

Event/position/class: Eight
Age: 30
From: Cinnaminson

Jordan Burroughs
Sex: Male
Competing in Freestyle Wrestling
Event/position/class: 74 kg
Age: 24
From: Sicklerville

Rachel Dawson
Sex: Female
Competing in Field Hockey
Event /position/class : Midfield
Age: 26
From: Berlin

Carli Lloyd
Sex: Female
Competing in Soccer
Event/position/class: Midfield
Age: 30
From: Delran

Michelle Vittese
Sex: Female
Competing in Field Hockey
Event/position/class: Forward
Age: 22
From: Cherry Hill

Julie Culley
Sex: Female
Competing in Track & Field
Event/position/class: 5000m
Age: 30
From: Lebanon

Nick Delpopolo
Sex: Male
Competing in Judo
Event/position/class: 73kg
Age: 23
From: Westfield

Matt Emmons
Sex: Male
Competing in Shooting
Event/position/class: 10m rifle, 50m rifle (three events)
Age: 31
From: Browns Mills

Steven Gluckstein
Sex: Male
Competing in Gymnastics
Event/position/class: Trampoline
Age: 22
From: Highlands

Tobin Heath
Sex: Female
Competing in Soccer
Event/position/class: Midfield
Age: 24
From: Basking Ridge

Connor Jaeger
Sex: Male
Competing in Swimming
Event/position/class: 1,500m free
Age: 21
From: Fair Haven

Asjha Jones
Sex: Female
Competing in Basketball
Event/position/class: Forward
Age: 31
From: Piscataway

Maya Lawrence
Sex: Female
Competing in Fencing
Event/position/class: Epee - Individual, Team
Age: 32
From: Teaneck

Christina McHale
Sex: Female
Competing in Tennis
Event/position/class: Singles
Age: 20
From: Englewood Cliffs

Heather O'Reilly
Sex: Female
Competing in Soccer
Event/position/class: Midfield
Age: 27
From: East Brunswick

Jeff Porter
Sex: Male
Competing in Track & Field
Event/position/class: 110m hurdles
Age: 26
From: Somerset

Christie Rampone
Sex: Female
Competing in Soccer
Event/position/class: Defender
Age: 37
From: Point Pleasant

Rebecca Soni
Sex: Female
Competing in Swimming
Event/position/class: Breaststroke
Age: 25
From: Freehold

Dagmara Wozniak
Sex: Female
Competing in Fencing
Event/position/class: Individual saber
Age: 24
From: Avenel

Looking for a way to celebrate the Olympics locally? You can find local events for Olympic Fun Day on July 28 on the Let’s Move website, which has a page about how to set up your own local Olympics. 

Also check out our Directory and Events Calendar for listings of places where you can learn and participate in Olympic sports ranging from basketball to karate, gymnastics, swimming and more.