5 Super Athletes With Ties To Flemington

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Flemington area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Ana Lopez (Track and Field)

Ana Lopez, a rising star in track and field, was born in Flemington and raised in Milford. She graduated from North Hunterdon High School in 2021, netting multiple gold medals in her races. Lopez continued her athletic career as a thrower for the Felician University women's track and field team.

2. Matthew Ioannidis (Football)

Matthew Ioannidis, a graduate of Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Flemington, is a former professional football player. After an impressive run at Temple University, Ioannidis went on to play as a defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders and the Carolina Panthers in the NFL. Since retiring from the NFL, he has turned his attention to coaching at Mechanicsburg High School.

3. Jason Cabinda (Football)

Jason Cabinda, a linebacker, has played for the Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions in the NFL. A Flemington native, he attended Hunterdon Central Regional High School before playing college football at Penn State University. After six years across his two NFL teams, Cabinda is currently a free agent.

4. Caitlin Hughes (Swimming)

Caitlin Hughes has been swimming competitively since the age of six. She attended Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Flemington, where she was a top 8 finalist in the 50 and 100 freestyle events at the New Jersey individual championships. Hughes continued her career at the collegiate level with the Richmond Spiders, where she continues to set impressive times and contribute to her team's success.

5. Gerhard Schwedes (Football)

Gerhard Schwedes, a halfback, played for the New York Titans and Boston Patriots in the NFL. Though born in Germany, he moved to Flemington, where he made a name for himself in football. Schwedes played college football at Syracuse University and was drafted by the New York Titans (now the New York Jets) in the 1960 AFL Draft.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.