Meet Your Olympians

They have lived their dreams through practice, hard work and diet. They've sweated through workouts on days they felt terrible and pushed themselves even harder on days they felt good. They have challenged themselves in practice so they will be ready for the one thing in their life that has driven them.

Their moment.

The 2012 Olympic Games began officially Friday in London with the opening ceremonies. The American contingent will be comprised of 529 athletes from 45 states.

Fourteen members of Team USA are from Orange County Patch towns.

They are competing in events as diverse as gymnastics, water polo, volleyball and rowing. For everyone, from 15-year-old Maryland swimmer Katie Ledecky to 54-year-old equestrian Karen O’Connor of Massachussetts, these Games represent the culmination of all they have poured into their medal effort—their lives.

It's time to meet some of the local Olympians from Patch towns in California.

Samuel Mikulak
Sex : Male
Competing in Gymnastics
Event / position / class : Artistic
Age : 19
From : Newport Beach

Tumua Anae
Sex : Female
Competing in Water Polo
Event / position / class : Goalkeeper
Age : 23
From : Newport Beach

Annika Dries
Sex : Female
Competing in Water Polo
Event / position / class : Center
Age : 20
From : Laguna Beach

Russell Holmes
Sex : Male
Competing in Volleyball
Event / position / class : Middle Blocker
Age : 30
From: Fountain Valley

Tim Hutten
Sex : Male
Competing in Water Polo
Event / position / class : Defender
Age : 27
From : Seal Beach

Jennifer Kessy
Sex : Female
Competing in Volleyball
Event / position / class : Beach
Age : 34
From : San Juan Capistrano

Esther Lofgren
Sex : Female
Competing in Rowing
Event / position / class : Eight
Age : 27
From : Newport Beach

John Mann
Sex : Male
Competing in Water Polo
Event / position / class : Center
Age : 27
From : Newport Beach

Misty May-Treanor
Sex : Female
Competing in Beach Volleyball
Age: 34 (turns 35 on July 30)
From: Newport Beach

Amy Rodriguez
Sex : Female
Competing in Soccer
Event / position / class : Forward
Age : 25
From : Lake Forest

Kyla Ross
Sex : Female
Competing in Gymnastics
Event / position / class : Artistic
Age : 15
From : Aliso Viejo

Chloe Sutton
Sex : Female
Competing in Swimming
Event / position / class : 400m free
Age : 20
From : Mission Viejo

Brian Thornton
Sex : Male
Competing in Volleyball
Event / position / class : Setter
Age : 27
From : San Clemente

Adam Wright
Sex : Male
Competing in Water Polo
Event / position / class : Attacker
Age : 35
From : Seal Beach

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