Jersey Native Nic Fink Captures Silver Medal
Morristown, New Jersey native Nic Fink captured the silver medal in the 100-meter breaststroke at the Paris Olympics over the weekend, making him the oldest first-time American, 31 years old, to win an Olympic medal in 120 years.
Fink has an incredible story. He sat down for an interview to talk about his swimming career, and balancing that with a 9-5 job, marriage, and soon, fatherhood. He and his wife, Melanie Margalis Fink, are expecting their first child in a few weeks.
Born in Morristown, New Jersey, Fink attended Pingry School before swimming collegiately at Georgia University where his dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete took firm footing.
After competing in the Pan Pacific Championships in 2014, the Olympic trials in 2016, and the Pan Am Games in 2019, Fink finally made the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. He qualified for the semifinals in the 200-meter breaststroke, placing fifth overall.
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Four years later, while juggling both family life, and a full-time job with Quanta Utility Engineering Services — he holds a masters in electrical and computer engineering from Georgia Tech, Fink made it all the way back to the Olympics.
He won his qualifier in the 100-meter breaststroke in June, and four weeks later, he was in Paris competing and earning an Olympic medal.
The race on Sunday was a dramatic one. Fink was out-touched by just .02 of a second by Nicolo Martinenghi of Italy – who wound up winning gold and tied with Adam Peaty of Great Britain for the silver.
Fink was quoted by ESPN as saying: “I was ready to move on to other stages while still trying to keep a high level in swimming. I think having the job really helps me compartmentalize everything. And if you have a bad day in the pool, it really takes your mind off things and kind of keeps you focused on other things in life. So that’s why I like telling people to stay well-rounded and stay balanced because I think it only really helps in the pool.”
