County Executive Ike Leggett Honored Montgomery County's 2016 Team USA Olympians

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 20, 2016

County Executive Ike Leggett honored Montgomery County’s 2016 Team USA Olympians last night at the Silver Spring Civic Building located at One Veterans Place. The event celebrated Montgomery County’s four athletes who represented the United States in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Joining County Executive Ike Leggett were Olympians Jack Conger, Katie Ledecky and Ashley Nee.  Helen Maroulis was unable to attend. The U.S. is the first country in 40 years to top the medal chart in every category to earn 46 gold medals. Six of those medals were won by Montgomery County Olympians.

 

Jack Conger from Rockville competed in the 4 x 200m freestyle swimming event. Conger earned a gold medal for the Men’s 4 X 200m freestyle relay swimming.

 

Katie Ledecky from Bethesda is a gold medalist from the 2012 Olympics who competed in the 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle and 4 x 200m freestyle. Ledecky earned a silver and four gold medals at the 2016 Olympics.

 

Ashley Nee from Darnestown competed in the canoe slalom. Nee overcame a past serious shoulder injury and the disappointment of just missing placement on the 2012 Team USA for the London games due to a technical tiebreaker.

 

Helen Maroulis made history when she defeated Japan's 13-time world champion, giving Team USA its first women's wrestling gold medal in Olympic history. Maroulis competed in the freestyle 53 kg. 

 

“Montgomery County is home to the brightest and most talented youth in the world,” said Leggett. “I am so proud of the accomplishments of our young athletes who earned international recognition for their perseverance and hard work. These athletes inspire everyone to work hard to achieve their full potential.”

The ceremony included a joint proclamation presented by Leggett and Montgomery County Council President Roger Berliner. “The performances of these four Olympians made many across our county so proud. They won gold medals, smashed world records, overcame past injuries and took down nearly unbeatable foes,” said Berliner. “We are fortunate to have athletes with such resolve and tenacity represent our county.”

“Thank you everyone for all of your support,” said Ledecky. “It is extremely meaningful when we got back home and heard all of the stories everyone shared about watching us while we were competing. I can’t even describe the support I received in Rio.”

“The opportunities that my parents and my coaches gave me while I was growing up is surreal,” said Conger. “I am grateful for everyone’s support.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my dream of going to the Olympics without the support of my crew, my community,” said Nee. “The way I got to the Olympics was 85 percent donations from Montgomery County residents.”

Gabe Albornoz, director of the Montgomery County Recreation Department served as Master of Ceremonies for the event.  The event included a presentation of fan mail from Montgomery County Public Library (MCPL) Director Parker Hamilton. MCPL provided mailboxes at each of the library branches for residents to drop-off mail for the athletes.

Other acknowledgements came from Chair of the Maryland Commission for Women Lee Banchu and Jacqueline Keenan, Marketing Manager for Rockville Town Square speaking on behalf of Federal Realty Investment Trust. Rousing music was provided by the Richard Montgomery High School Marching Band under the direction of Dr. Peter Perry.

For more information about the ceremony call 240-777-6507.

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Release ID: 16-439
Media Contact: Judy Stiles 240-777-6507