Meet New Jersey's 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. There are 529 athletes from 45 states that 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 Connor Jaeger, of Fair Haven, and 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.

It's time to meet the Olympians from the Garden State.

Here are a few quick facts about your Olympians:

• Athletics
  Julie Culley, 30, of Lebanon
  Jeff Porter, 26, of Somerset
• Basketball
  Asjha Jones, 31, of Piscataway
• Fencing
  Maya Lawrence, 31, of Teaneck
  Dagmara Wozniak, 24, of Avenel
  
• Field Hockey
  Michelle Vittese, 22, of Cherry Hill
  Rachel Dawson, 26, of Berlin
• Gymnastics
  Steven Gluckstein, 22, of Highlands
• Judo
  Nick Delpopolo, 23, of Westfield
• Rowing
  Steve Kasprzyk, 30, of Cinnaminson
• Shooting
  Matt Emmons, 31, of Brown Mills
• Soccer
  Tobin Heath, 24, of Basking Ridge
  Carli Lloyd, 29, of Delran
  Heather O’Reilly, 27, of East Brunswick
  Christie Rampone, 37, of Point Pleasant
• Swimming
  Connor Jaeger, 21, of Fair Haven
  Cullen Jones, 28, of Irvington
  Rebecca Soni, 25, of Plainsboro
• Tennis
  Christina McHale, 20, of Englewood Cliffs
• Wrestling
  Jordan Burroughs, 24, of Sicklerville

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 sports ranging from basketball to karate, gymnastics, swimming and more.