In Shaping Team USA Roster, New Jersey Contingent Making Major Noise at U.S. Nationals
There’s no debating the status of California and Florida as hotbed states for aquatic talent, and as consistent feeders to Team USA rosters. The same can be said for Texas, with Indiana and Pennsylvania also traditional powers. But through three days of action at the United States National Championships, major credit must go to the Garden State.
As the American squad for next month’s World Championships in Fukuoka takes shape, at least six New Jersey athletes will suit up for the Stars & Stripes. It happens that all six are men – Nic Fink, Dare Rose, Jack Alexy, Matt Fallon, Destin Lasco and Henry McFadden. New Jersey routinely produces elite talent, but even this total is eye-opening.
New Jersey’s success comes on the heels of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) eliminating consolation finals from the organization’s state-championship meet. Coaches around the state have protested the decision, as it denies worthy high-school students from receiving the opportunity to compete on a significant stage.
The New Jersey Six have made the NJSIAA decision look even more foolish, as the state can proclaim some of the best swimmers in the country – and world.
Here’s a glance at the Team USA qualifiers with New Jersey roots, including a trio from Cal-Berkeley.
Jack Alexy: From Mendham and the Delbarton School, Alexy is an emerging sprint standout for the United States. On the opening day of Nationals, Cal-Berkeley star won the 100 freestyle in 47.93 and will also represent Team USA in the 400 freestyle relay at Worlds.
Matt Fallon: Now at the University of Pennsylvania, Fallon is from Warren and raced scholastically for the Pingry School. In the 200 breaststroke, he roared to victory by using his patented back-half power and touched the wall in 2:07.71.
Nic Fink: A Morristown native and product of the Pingry School, the former University of Georgia standout has been the United States’ premier breaststroker for several years. He has qualified for the World Championships in the 50 breaststroke, with his best event, the 100 breast, on deck.
Destin Lasco: The NCAA champion from Cal-Berkeley hails from Linwood and represented Mainland Regional High School during his Jersey days. Lasco earned his spot at the World Champs in the 200 backstroke and as a member of the 400 freestyle relay.
Henry McFadden: Out of Haddonfield Memorial High School, McFadden is bound for Stanford University for his collegiate career. At Nationals, his sixth-place finish in the 200 freestyle should earn him a berth to the World Champs as a member of the 800 freestyle relay.
Dare Rose: From Jersey City and a star at Cal-Berkeley, Rose has enjoyed a breakthrough meet. After finishing second in the 50 butterfly, Rose returned to claim victory in the 100 butterfly (50.74) and will see additional duty on the American 400 medley relay.
In addition to the pool qualifiers for the United States, Joey Tepper is another New Jersey native who will represent Team USA – his work arriving in the open-water competition. Out of the University of Tennessee, Tepper hails from Egg Harbor Township and attended Egg Harbor Township High School. In Fukuoka, he will race the 10k discipline.