Roman Jones: Meet New Jersey’s Top Record-Breaking Competitive Swimmer

Roman Jones: Meet New Jersey’s Top Record-Breaking Competitive Swimmer

Competitive swimmer Roman Jones doesn’t let negative thoughts and distractions affect his performance while preparing for swim tournaments. With his mind on the task at hand and his eyes on the prize, it doesn’t take him long to visualize his intended time targets.

“I think about my races a lot and what I need to do to get the time I want,” Jones told Black Kids Swim. “I think about my stroke count, how many underwaters I want to do, and just how I want to execute it.” 

This mindset has transformed the 16-year-old swimmer into a force to be reckoned with in the competitive swimming circuit. The New Jersey native has a long list of accomplishments under his belt and plans to achieve more as he continues to break records.

Jones is a rising junior at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and a member of the Jersey Flyers Aquatic Club swim team in Secaucus, New Jersey. He’s mounted a successful journey through the sport. He became the 2016 New Jersey Swimming Short Course Yard Record Holder in the 10 and under group in five swimming events, including the 100-yard Individual Medley, 100-yd Butterfly, 100-yd Backstroke, 200-yd Individual Medley, and 100-yd Breaststroke. 

His hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. This month, SwimSwam released their list of the Top 20 Swim Recruits for the Class of 2023. Jones ranked ninth overall. The article commented on his “outstanding speed” in butterfly, backstroke, and freestyle events. 

“I try to keep my head clear when I’m racing [and] not try to think about too many things,” Jones expressed. “Before the race, I try to clear my mind and everything, something for me to really let loose.”

A Strong Foundation is Essential for Competitive Swimming

The young swimmer’s years of swim training and strong family support have led him to reach high levels of success in the competitive swimming space.

His mother, Nikki Jones, was intentional about signing him up for swim lessons at an early age. For her, the key was for him to be comfortable in the water, something she didn’t have the luxury of enjoying growing up. 

“I grew up in an inner-city, so I didn’t have access to a pool. I learned very late,” Jones reminisced. “I wanted him not to have that fear of the water like I did.”

Roman began taking swimming lessons at the YMCA when he was an infant. According to Nikki, throughout the years, he acclimated to the water well, doing freestyle techniques while attending preschool. After moving to New Jersey, she searched for several swim programs in the area to allow Roman to continue his interest in swimming. Through her search, an acquaintance informed her about the Cougar Aquatic swim team hosting swimming lessons. But that opportunity led to something greater that she didn’t expect.  

Unbeknownst to Nikki and Roman, they stumbled onto competitive swim tryouts that very day. Witnessing his ability to do backstroke and freestyle, the swim coaches were impressed with his skills, and they offered him a spot on the team. Roman began swimming competitively at 6 years old. With the assistance of his team, he learned how to do the butterfly and backstroke, gradually improving the swim techniques over time.

One of his most memorable competitive swimming achievements was earning his first silver time in the Boys 10 and Under 50-yd Butterfly at the 2014 Junior Olympics in Piscataway, New Jersey. The accomplishment was the moment Roman realized his true potential of swimming competitively in the long term.

“That’s when I knew I could really swim and have a future in the sport,” Roman expressed. “That’s a great accomplishment for me, and that’s the first [medal] that I got.”

He experienced more success in the sport as the years progressed, showcasing his effectiveness as a skilled and determined contender among his peers. 

Roman has competed in a variety of swim events throughout his eight-year swimming journey. Several monumental achievements include his involvement in the 2019 HACY Summer Solstice, 2019 MA JW Thanksgiving Celebration, and the Scarlet Last Chance, where he placed first in all or most events.

Roman commented that connecting with other swimmers and learning new tips on how to improve his performance has been one of his best positive experiences in the sport. The ability to get this far in competitive swimming is a significant accomplishment, and he and his mother are grateful for it. That’s why advocating for better access is part of their most recent effort to create more opportunities for Black Americans in swimming.

Better Access Leads to More Inclusivity

“I think it [swimming] can definitely improve,” Roman said. Commenting on the low percentage of African Americans in the sport, Roman stated, “It’s definitely an issue.”

Along with racial disparities, the financial component of competitive swimming is another factor that plays a disproportionate role in who can participate. 

“It’s really a year-round commitment. It’s something you do three to four times a week, and it’s something you have to plan as well, so it adds up,” Jones explained. “It’s something that I think coaches in the sport should provide more assistance to families so they can attend those meets and give them an opportunity.”

Roman’s involvement in the New Jersey Swimming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee intends to fix this very issue. According to its website, the group’s goal is “to take steps to foster a more equitable environment that fully supports all coaches and athletes.”

The committee aims to focus on a community-oriented approach to ensure disenfranchised groups are represented equally through the process and the sport.

“We’re trying to do more outreach to those communities that don’t have access to the pools. We’re trying to get those kids interested in the sport,” Roman said. “A lot of people in this meeting, they don’t know who’s in the sport, so we’re just trying to make people more interested.”

Though COVID has postponed many activities, he says the committee plans on hosting several events, including swim tryouts and teaching long-distance swimming soon. They also want to get input from professional swimmers like Cullen Jones to share their experiences in the sport and provide guidance to current and prospective swimmers.

 Roman’s goals for the future are just as ambitious as his recent endeavors. He hopes to attend a top-tier college with a competitive Division I swimming program.

Hard work, dedication, and passion drive Roman to do his best in competitive swimming and life. Black Kids Swim treasures these values in hopes that other Black swimmers like him will continue to forge a path of success in the sport.