3 Olympic Athletes With Greater Morristown Ties To Watch In Tokyo

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Three athletes made it from Greater Morristown to the world stage. As countless athletes try to make their dreams come true in Tokyo, there are a few that Morristown may want to keep an eye on.

Several pro athletes were either born or have lived in Morristown, including NHL player and former Devil Kenny Agostino, World Series champion Rick Porcello and tennis player and Avon Championship winner Leslie Allen. But few in this world can say they've made it as far as the Olympics.

Here are three athletes with Morristown ties who will compete in Tokyo:

Nic Fink: swimming

The Morristown native didn't have an easy path to the Olympics. Fink failed to finish in the top two at the 2012 and 2016 trials. The 27-year-old also fell short with a third-place showing in the 100 breaststroke earlier this year.

But Fink finally qualified last month, placing first in the Olympic trials for the 200 breaststroke to qualify for the event.

Fink attended The Pingry School before enrolling at the University of Georgia, where he had several scoring appearances in the NCAA Championships.

He qualified for his first international team in 2013 after finishing second in the US National Championships/US World Championship Trials. Fink swam on the world stage in 2013, 2015 and 2017. His best finish in worlds came in 2017, when he placed fifth in the 200 breaststroke.

Doug Payne: equestrian

The Morristown native will compete in eventing. Payne, who now lives in South Carolina, won the team gold medal in the 2019 Pan American Games and finished fourth individually.

He graduated from Vorhees High School and then competed for the alpine ski team at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Payne enjoys both road and mountain biking, along with many other outdoor activities.

Morgan Pearson: triathlon

Pearson attended the Delbarton School before becoming a seven-time All-American at the University of Colorado in track and field. He got his start in elite triathlon through USA Triathlon’s Collegiate Recruitment Program, which identifies top NCAA swimmers and runners who have triathlete potential.

Then he experienced a breakout season in 2021, winning bronze in Yokohama on May 15 and silver in Leeds, England, on June 6, to become the first American male to earn multiple World Triathlon Championship Series medals.

He currently lives and trains in Boulder, Colorado.

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