Submitted photo Dax McCarty, the 20-year-old grandson of Henry and Vivian McCarty of Dexter, will be among the players on the U.S. Under-23 Men's National Soccer Team playing in the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

When the 2008 Olympics kick off this summer in Beijing, China, a little part of Dexter, Missouri will be represented.

Playing on the U.S. Under-23 Men's National Soccer Team will be 20-year-old Dax McCarty, the son of Gordon and Cynthia McCarty from Winter Park, Florida and the grandson of Henry and Vivian McCarty of Dexter.

Following a college soccer career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2004 to 2005, during which time he played in 45 games, led the Tar Heels with eight assists, and was named to the All-ACC first team, McCarty was drafted in the first round, being sixth overall, of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas. He was later named to the U.S. Under-20 Men's National Soccer Team for the 2007 FIFA Under-Twenty World Cup.

That appointment led to McCarty being included on the U.S. Under-23 Men's National Soccer team for the 2008 CONCACAF Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament held earlier this month, at which he qualified for the olympic team to that will complete in Beijing. Playing in every match of the tournament, McCarty received the honor of being named to the All Tournament Team with teammates Maurice Edu and Freddy Adu. In addition, he was voted to the 2008 Best XI as a midfielder by the CONCACAF Technical Study Group, a coveted title in the world of soccer.

Success comes natural in the McCarty family. Dax' father is Gordon "Dart" McCarty, who served in the U.S. Navy as a Top Gun pilot and went on to work with the MISL team, the Orlando Sharks. His mother, Cynthia, played tennis at Mercer and a younger brother, Dustin, accepted a full scholarship to play soccer beginning this school year at the University of Central Florida.

Rightfully proud of their son's son, Henry and Vivian McCarty will be two among millions who will be tuned in to watch the U.S. Men's Soccer Team as they go for the gold this summer in Beijing.

Noreen Hyslop can be reached via email at nhslop@dailystatesman.com