5 Super Athletes With Ties To Mendham-Chester

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Mendham-Chester 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. Rosie Napravnik (Horse Racing Jockey)

One of the most accomplished female jockeys in horse racing, Mendham native Rosie Napravnik was the first female jockey to win the Louisiana Derby in 2011 and the Kentucky Oaks in 2012 and 2014. Napravnik also earned the best-ever finish for a female rider in the Kentucky Derby, placing ninth in 2011 aboard Pants On Fire. Despite a career marked by serious injuries, she demonstrated resilience and skill, retiring in 2014 after a Breeders’ Cup victory to focus on her family with her husband, trainer Joe Sharp.

2. Jack Alexy (Swimming)

Jack Alexy, a standout swimmer from Mendham, has made waves in collegiate and international swimming. A senior at the University of California, Berkeley, and graduate of Delbarton School, Alexy is a 14-time CSCAA All-American and has earned multiple NCAA and Pac-12 championships, including a national title in the 800 free relay. He represented Team USA at the 2024 Olympics, winning gold in the 4x100 free relay and silver in the medley relay. Known for his record-breaking performances, Alexy set the second-fastest American time in the 100 free at the 2023 World Championships, where he also earned five medals.

3. Molly Creamer (Basketball)

A three-time Patriot League Player of the Year, Mendham’s Molly Creamer set records with 2,462 career points and 593 assists, becoming only the second woman in NCAA history to lead her conference in both categories for three consecutive years. Known for her scoring ability, she once scored 44 points in a game against Lafayette, including the team’s final 29 points. Post-graduation, she was drafted in the first round of the WNBA by the New York Liberty and later played professionally in Europe and the NWBL. Creamer’s achievements earned her a place in the Bucknell Hall of Fame and recognition on the Patriot League 25th Anniversary Team.

4. Matt Flanagan (Football)

A former NFL tight end, Matt Flanagan began his football journey in Chester, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete at West Morris Mendham High School. Flanagan earned all-conference honors as a senior tight end, showcasing his talent with 22 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns. After walking on at Rutgers University and earning a scholarship, he played three seasons with the Scarlet Knights before transferring to the University of Pittsburgh as a graduate student. Flanagan went on to sign with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2018, making his NFL debut later that year.

5. Carl Zander (Football)

NFL linebacker Carl Zander played for the Cincinnati Bengals after being selected in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft. Over his seven-year career, he appeared in 106 games, recording eight sacks and earning a weighted career AV of 39. Born and raised in Mendham, Zander honed his football skills at West Morris Mendham High School before excelling at the University of Tennessee. He remains a notable figure in his hometown for his contributions to the sport and his enduring connection to the community.

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