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Eyes on the prize

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Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Milton High's Jennah Haney is the two-time defending state champion in the 100 breaststroke.

MILTON — Wisconsin is not exactly a hotbed for world-class swimmers.

Few state swimmers even qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

But then, few swimmers from the state glide through the water like Jennah Haney.

Competing for the Whitewater J-Hawk club team last summer, the Milton High junior and two-time defending Division 2 state 100-yard breaststroke champion swam a 1 minute, 12.36 seconds in the 100-meter breaststroke at the state meet. The time was lower than the U.S. Olympic qualifying standard of 1:12.52 and automatically qualified Haney for the Olympic trials. Unfortunately for Haney, her qualifying time came three weeks after the cut-off date for the trials.

Despite not getting a chance to compete and see how she stacked up with America's best, Haney will never forget the accomplishment.

"That was as close to a perfect race as I've ever had," Haney said of the state meet last summer. "Everything just felt right. I didn't feel like I was using a lot of energy and as soon as I hit the water, everything just felt right."

The 2012 Summer Olympics will take place in London, and at 16 years old now, Haney thinks 20 is the perfect age to represent her country on the big stage. Rebecca Soni has the top time in the US in the 100-meter breaststroke at 1:06.13, which leaves Haney six seconds behind right now, but with continued maturity and a grueling workout schedule, anything is possible.

"I'm going to work for it, and hopefully, it pays off," Haney said of her Olympic aspirations.

If hard work means anything, Haney can book her reservations for London now. Haney, the daughter of Mike and Staci, begins each day at 5:30 a.m. with a one-hour swim. That is followed up by a 2 to 2 1/2 hour workout after school.

Milton coach Tom Lieder, who is in his 38th year of coaching, said Haney's work ethic sets her apart.

"Jennah is one of the hardest if not the hardest workers of any of the kids I've had," Lieder said. "She'll swim 4,000 yards in the morning and then turn around and swim another 7,500 at practice.

"The one thing that is really unique about Jennah is that she practices like she's in a race. That's a mindset that you can't coach.

"And she also has a little bit of talent," Lieder said in jest.

Haney is a part of a Milton program that has turned into one of the best in Division 2. The Red Hawks are a likely top-five finisher at the WIAA state meet in November, where Haney will try to defend her 100-yard breaststroke title. Shorewood's Meghan Purvis set the Division 2 state record in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:05.54 in 1996—a record that is the second oldest in Division 2.

Haney's sights are on Purvis' record.

"That's a very realistic goal," Haney said. "Last year I had to come from behind to win, so this year my strategy is going to be a little bit different. I want to get out and make them chase me."

A strategy that Jennah Haney hopes can take her to new places. Maybe even London in 2012.

THE HANEY FILE

Person I admire most: My parents (Mike and Staci).

Prerace routine: Listen to my iPod.

TV show I never miss: 'Jon and Kate Plus 8.'

In 10 years, I'll be: Still swimming.

Best invention in the last 100 years: iPod.

If I could play any other sport, it would be: Gymnastics.

Favorite all-time player (sports hero): Michael Phelps.

My favorite saying: "Go big or go home."

If I could have dinner with one famous person, it would be: U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte.

CD currently getting the most play: Mix of country, rap and rock and roll.