Ricketts Congratulates Nebraska Athletes Competing on Team USA at the 2024 Olympics
July 26, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) extended his congratulations to the four Nebraska athletes competing on Team U.S.A. in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The athletes include Jordan Larson of Hooper, Dylan Travis of Omaha, Duncan McGuire of Omaha, and Maggie Malone-Hardin of Geneva. The Summer Olympics kick off with the Opening Ceremony tonight July 26 and will end on August 11.
“Congratulations to all the Nebraskans representing Team U.S.A. at the Olympics,” Ricketts said. “It takes a tremendous amount of grit, commitment, and sacrifice to compete at the Olympic level. I encourage all Nebraskans to cheer on Jordan, Dylan, Duncan and Maggie. We’ll be praying for your safe return – hopefully with medals around your necks!”
BACKGROUND
Jordan Larson is competing in volleyball. A Hooper native, she set various records at Logan View High School and was named the Gatorade High School Player of the Year. During her college years, she led the Huskers to a top five finish each season she competed, earning herself All-American honors. She was awarded the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and the Big 12 Player of the Year in 2008, becoming the first athlete to hold both accomplishments in the same season. Jordan led the U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she was additionally awarded Most Valuable Player. She is now a full-time assistant coach for Husker volleyball. This is Jordan’s fourth Olympic competition.
Dylan Travis is competing in 3×3 basketball. He graduated from Omaha Gross High School and continued competing at several colleges, eventually leading his team at Florida Southern College to a national championship during his junior season. He has since played for various teams internationally, winning gold medals at the 2023 Pan American Games 3×3 as well as the 2022 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup. Dylan now teaches special education and coaches boys’ basketball at Westside High School in Omaha.
Duncan McGuire is competing in soccer. He attended Creighton Prep and was selected for the Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska High School First Team in both 2018 and 2019. He played for Elkhorn Soccer Club as well. Duncan’s soccer career amplified during his time at Creighton University, where he scored 23 goals in his 2022 season, the most in the nation and the new Creighton single season record. This performance earned him the Big East Offensive Player of the Year honor as well as the Hermann Trophy in 2022. Duncan now plays for the Orlando City Major League Soccer team.
Maggie Malone-Hardin is competing in javelin. She graduated from Fillmore Central High School and Texas A&M. She won the 2016 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, setting the collegiate record at the time with her performance, as well as the 2016 and the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials. In her 2021 Olympic performance, she placed 10th. Maggie is now a volunteer coach for the Husker’s track and field program. This is her third Olympic competition.