Signed: Amaya Hanley

DURHAM – Duke swimming and diving head coach Dan Colella announced the incoming freshman class for the 2021-22 season. With the announcement, GoDuke.com will be highlighting all 13 signees in the coming weeks.

Amaya Hanley will join the Blue Devils and will primarily swim in the backstroke, butterfly and individual medley events. A native of Davidson, N.C., Hanley graduated from Hough High School in Cornelius, N.C. Hanley also competed for Swim MAC Carolina under Kathy McKee.

"I chose Duke because it is the perfect combination of all factors that I was looking for," Hanley said. "I wanted a prestigious college with high academics and the university to take high pride in athletics as well. To me, Duke is the perfect combination. I also wanted a diverse community with the opportunity to learn from others while making meaningful connections, which is a perfect description of the Duke environment. In addition, Duke is beautiful, and not too far from home."

Hanley was the 10th-ranked recruit out of North Carolina in the 2021 class according to SwimCloud.com. She continually excelled in both the classroom and the pool throughout her prep career, earning Scholastic All-America honors all four seasons.

Through her high school career, Hanley was a nine-time finalist at the NCHSAA AAAA Swimming & Diving State Championships, including winning the state title in the 400-yard freestyle relay as a freshman and the 200 medley relay as a senior. Hanley was also awarded the NCHSAA AAAA Swimming & Diving Sportsmanship Award as a sophomore.

On the club scene, Hanley competed at the Summer and Winter Junior Nationals in the 100 and 200 backstroke.

Hanley was extremely involved in her community out of the pool. A consistent member of student council organizations since second grade, she also was the president of National Honor Society twice, vice president of leadership of her graduating class all four years, vice president of Project Spread Joy and the fundraising chairman of the Make-a-Wish club.

Amaya Armant Hanley was born on January 20, 2003. She is the daughter of Stephanie Hanley.

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