A Morristown native will be heading to Tokyo as part of the United States swim team in the Summer Olympics. It will be his first Olympics Games.

Nic Fink says that making the Tokyo games was all about redemption.

“I was just so relieved to be on the team, to see my time, to see the first place next to my name. And at that point, I just wanted to take the moment in,” Fink says.

Fink fulfilled his lifelong dream after five years of waiting. Despite being a favorite in 2016, the Pingry grad failed to make the Olympic team for Rio.

“I was pretty devastated, but I was able to bounce back in 2017. I had a really good swim. I made World Championships, then ’18 I had an off year. Then ’19 was a better year, so I was definitely a bit of a rollercoaster,” he says.

This month’s trials started the same way. Fink didn’t qualify in his first event, the 100-meter breaststroke. But he was able to draw on his past experience to come back and win the 200-meter event.

“You learn a lot from the good races. You learn how to swim fast. You know how to do your best. But you also learn a lot from the bad races. I learned a lot from 2016 and I’ve tried building off that ever since,” says Fink.

Fink is now Tokyo bound and says that he can’t wait to experience his first Olympics.

“Making this team is one of the hardest parts, so now it’s super easy and I just get to enjoy myself. I’m really looking forward to walking out for the first race with USA on my chest and USA on my cap and just letting it rip,” he says.

Fink says that the support that he has received from fans around the state has been incredible and he is excited to represent New Jersey on the world stage.

“I hope I can do Jersey proud and have a nice egg and cheese bagel sandwich when I get back,” he says.

Fink leaves for Team USA training camp in Hawaii this weekend. The Tokyo games begin on July 23.