From Lincoln to London

Burroughs and Larson, two of the four headed to London

Lincoln-London is the site of the 2012 Olympics later this summer, and the Cornhusker State is sending four of its finest athletes to compete head to head against the best in the world. Jordan Burroughs, Jordan Larson, Jason Parker and Tervel Dlagnev will all be competing for the U.S. Burroughs and Dlagnev in wrestling, Parker in rifle shooting and Larson in volleyball.

Not only do these four have connections to the state of Nebraska, but they also have close ties with one of Nebraska's greatest summer traditions, the Cornhusker State Games, which is Nebraska's amateur multi-sport festival. Larson has been a mystery torchlighter at the CSG opening ceremony, Burroughs was a Nebraska Sports Council banquet speaker, Parker learned marksmanship from his muzzleloading father-a CSG regular, and Dlagnev was a CSG participant and Iron Man Award winner.

State Games officials issued a reminder today that July 2nd is the final deadline to register for most sports in the 2012 Cornhusker State Games, which take place July 20-29 at more than 70 venues in Lincoln, Omaha and surrounding communities. More than 5,000 of an expected 12,000 Nebraskans are already signed up. Those interested can register at CornhuskerStateGames.com.


Officials also said final preparations are being made for the CSG Opening Ceremonies on July 20 at Lincoln's Seacrest Field. Evening entertainment will include skydivers, fireworks, a mascot race, a trampoline exhibition, a parade of athletes, a mini-concert by pop band D*Funk and, of course, the traditional lighting of the caldron by a mystery athlete.

"Our Opening Ceremonies are modeled somewhat after the Olympics, and while (the Olympics) have a slightly bigger budget, our show generates a lot of the same emotions and goodwill," Ceremonies Chairman Dave Tinius said. "We should have close to 9,000 there, and thankfully, we'll probably have around 500 volunteers making it happen. Thank goodness for the volunteers," Tinius added.

Nebraska has a rich history of producing Olympians. In all, at least 56 Nebraskans, or athletes/coaches with Nebraska ties, have participated in the Olympics, including:

Archery: Vic Wunderle (2000)

Baseball: Brian Duensing (2008), Adam Stern (Canada-2004)

Basketball: Bob Boozer (1960)

Bobsledding: Curtis Tomasevicz (2006, 2010)

Cycling: Amber Parkinson-Neben (2008)

Fencing: Curtis Shears (1932)

Gymnastics: Jim Hartung (1980, 1984), Phil Cahoy (1980), Larry Gerard (1980), Jim Mikus (1984), Scott Johnson (1984, 1988), Wes Sutter (1988), Kevin Davis (1988), Tom Schlesinger (1988), Trent Dimas (1992), Francis Allen (coach 1980, 1992), Peggy Liddick (coach-1992, 1996)

Rowing: Lisa Rhode (1984)

Shooting: Gary Anderson (1964, 1968), John Jackson (1912), Jason Parker (2004, 2008, 2012)

Soccer: Karina LeBlanc (Canada-2008), Brittany Timko (Canada-2008), Amy Walsh (Canada-2008)

Softball: Sheena Lawrick (Canada-2004), Robin Mackin (Canada-2008), Lori Sippel (Canada-1996)

Swimming: Penny Heyns (South Africa-1992), Adam Pine (Australia 2000, 2004), Scott Usher (2004), Therese Alshammer (Sweden-2000, 2004), Mike Bruner (1976)

Tennis: Andy Roddick (2004)

Track & Field: Carol Frost (1968), Charlie Greene (1968), Merlene Ottey (Jamaica-1980, 1984, 1992, 1996, 2000), Lloyd Hahn (1924), Dusty Jonas (2008), Priscilla Lopes-Schliep (2008), Ineta Radevica (Latvia-2004), Dmitrijs Milkevics (Latvia-2004), Peter Smith (2008), George Baird (1928)

Volleyball: Lori Endicott (1992, 1996), Allison Weston (2000), Nancy Metcalf (2004), Jordan Larson (2012)

Wrestling: Rulon Gardner (2000, 2004), Brad Vering (2004, 2008), Terry Brands (1996), Tom Brands (2000), Matt Lindland (2000), Dan Brand (1960, 1964), Jim Scherr (1988), Bill Scherr (1988), Jordan Burroughs (2012), Tervel Dlagnev (2012)

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