ATLANTIC CITY – James Haney, the state champion swimmer from Atlantic City High School, has announced his decision to join the University of Delaware swim team next fall.

“I’m very excited about beginning my journey as a Blue Hen for the next four years,” said Haney. “It’s been one of my goals for about two years to gain myself a roster spot on the team.”

The University of Delaware swim team competes in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), a Division I conference that includes schools such as James Madison, Towson, and William & Mary. “The CAA is a very competitive conference,” Haney said. “So for the coaching staff to believe in me really boosts my confidence in and outside the pool.”

When Haney graduates from Atlantic City High School in June 2024, he can say he gave it his all. “Every time I raced for the high school, I gave it everything I had,” Haney said. He said he has broken 17 school records, 14 individual and three relays. And he has been nominated as an All-American.

“James will go down as the best male swimmer in the history of Atlantic City High School,” said Atlantic City Public Schools Athletic Director Chris Ford.  “He broke seven of his own school records during this past season.” The 18-year-old senior from Chelsea Heights recently took first place at the State Individual Swimming Championships for the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 48.56 seconds. “He won two events at the Cape-Atlantic League (CAL) Championships,” Ford added.

Haney has been swimming competitively since he was about ten years old. “My parents put me in the Learn to Swim program and I just stuck with it,” Haney explained.  He belongs to the Ocean City-based East Coast C-Cerpants where he has been training for about eight years.

"James Haney is our first state champion and All American at the East Coast C-Cerpants," said Owner and Head Coach Donnie Cotter. "The coaches at ECCC are extremely excited. He was interested in the University of Delaware and I'm very happy his dream came true."

Haney also trains in the summer by working for the Brigantine Beach Patrol. Haney said swimming in the ocean and swimming in the pool are nothing alike. "It's as different as you can imagine," Haney said. "In the pool, you can see the bottom. In the ocean, you've got to spot up a few times. You don't know how cold the water is going to be. It's a completely different beast." But it helps him improve his stamina and keeps him in the water. “It’s a year-round sport,” Haney said. “I swim six days a week. I only give myself two weeks off.” 

Haney has broken multiple school records in various events, including the 400-meter freestyle, the 200-meter individual medley and the 100-meter backstroke. “There are only 16 individual records that I could have gotten, so I only missed out on two,” Haney said. Atlantic City High School hadn’t had a male state champion swimmer since 2013, Ford said. Still, Haney remains humble and driven. “I saw him in the Atlantic City High School gym two days after he won his state championship.  I asked him, “aren’t you going to take a break and take some time off, to rest and relax?”  He said, “yes, I took off yesterday,” Ford said. “That just shows you the work ethic that James possesses.”

Haney said that part of the reason he has succeeded has been his support system.

"I'm still with the same friend group from Freshman and Sophomore year," Haney said. "They used to get bummed out when I wouldn't come out with them. But they didn't understand my goals." Once they began to see him excel consistently, that changed. "Especially in the past two years, they've been very understanding," Haney said. "They understand I have to go to practice. Taking one day off from practice takes two days to get back on."

Atlantic City High School Principal Constance Days-Chapman said the school community celebrates his success. “On behalf of the administrative team, we’re very proud of James Haney,” said Days-Chapman. “He’s not only broken records, he’s broken his own records. We’re cheering him on and looking forward to seeing what is to come from his future accomplishments.”

Ford said Haney wasn’t just a phenomenal athlete. “He was a great mentor and role model to our underclassmen,” Ford said of Haney.  “He showed that if you put in the hard work, you can accomplish great things.”