Two former athletic stars at Delbarton School in Morristown clinched three medals — a gold and two silvers — in their respective sports for the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympics — a first in the school’s history.
John “Jack” Alexy, a Delbarton alum from the Class of ‘21, helped Team USA win gold in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay in swimming on July 27.
On Sunday, Team USA won silver in the closing men’s 4x100m medley relay. The team included Nic Fink of Morristown. Alexy didn’t compete in that final race but received a medal because he swam the closing freestyle lap for the relay team in its preliminary heat the day before, according to NJ.com.
For the second time in his career, Morgan Pearson, Class of ’11, won silver at the Olympics in the mixed triathlon relay, which involves swimming, cycling, and running. He previously secured silver in the same event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which was postponed and took place in 2021 because of COVID-19.
The Paris games, which conclude this Sunday, also mark the first time two Delbarton alumni competed in the same Olympics. The appearances of Alexy, 21, and Pearson 30, marked “a significant milestone for Delbarton,” the Benedictine-run school posted on its website.
“The Delbarton School family is immensely proud of Jack Alexy and Morgan Pearson’s outstanding performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics,” Benedictine Father Michael Tidd, Delbarton’s headmaster, said according to Delbarton. “Jack’s gold and silver medals in the 4×100 events, along with Morgan’s repeat silver in the triathlon mixed relay, testify to their dedication, perseverance, and the support of their families and coaches. Their achievements inspire us all and reflect the spirit of excellence we strive for at Delbarton.”
Alexy and Pearson joined several other New Jersey athletes competing in Paris.
Alexy showcased his swimming talents in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay on July 27. The team, which also featured Caeleb Dressel, Chris Guiliano, and Hunter Armstrong, competed in a nail-biting race. Alexy put the team in a great spot swimming the first leg, allowing Dressel to secure the gold for Team USA in the final leg.
“I was really excited to lead off the relay and get things going. It wasn’t a perfect swim for me, but we got the job done and it was really fun watching the rest of my teammates execute their races,” Alexy said according to Delbarton. He added, that for his team, “This win is a testament to our hard work and dedication. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”
At Delbarton, Alexy notched state swimming titles at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Raised in Mendham, he quickly rose in the ranks of competitive swimming, known for his 50m and 100m freestyle events. He also won five medals at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships. Today, he swims for the Golden Bears of the University of California, Berkeley.
Pearson came in 31st in the men’s triathlon at the Paris Olympics, before winning silver in the mixed triathlon relay. He ran a strong third leg for the team with the 300-meter swim, 6.8 kilometer (4.2 miles) draft legal bike ride, and 2-kilometer (1.2 miles) run in 20:24. Pearson teamed with Seth Rider, Taylor Spivey, and Taylor Knibb, according to NJ.milesplit.com.
At Delbarton, Pearson started running competitively. He was raised in the New Vernon neighborhood of Harding Township. He competed in cross-country and track and field. Pearson ran for the University of Colorado, becoming a seven-time All-American. He later transitioned to triathlon with great success.
Pearson clinched a bronze medal at the 2021 World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) in Yokohama in Japan, silver at the WTCS in Leeds in England that year, and gold at the World Triathlon Championship Series in Yokohama this year. He currently resides and trains in Boulder, Colo.
After his silver medal win in Tokyo, Pearson visited Delbarton to share his Olympic story. Father Tidd presented him with The Delbarton Medal, the school’s highest honor.
Pearson recalled his former Delbarton coach, John Barnicle.
“I’ve had some other great coaches along the way, but something about the way he coached made cross country so much fun,” said Pearson, according to Delbarton Magazine.
Barnicle recalled, “Morgan was a special guy when it came to competition, very focused and fearless.”
Pearson also learned about humility at Delbarton.
“The Delbarton community, especially the monks, constantly preaches it and in my time there I probably took it for granted,” Pearson said.
