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Former NC State swimmer Jack Roney drowns during breath-holding practice

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 12, 2026, 7:32 PM

Last updated Aug 12, 2026

Former NC State swimmer Jack Roney drowns during breath-holding practice
Summary

Jack Roney, a former swimmer and assistant coach at North Carolina State University, drowned on July 5 while practicing breath-holding exercises in a pool. According to an autopsy report released on August 11, Roney experienced a shallow water blackout, which led to his accidental drowning. He was found unconscious by his wife after she stepped away briefly. Despite resuscitation efforts by paramedics, Roney was pronounced dead later that evening. His family is advocating for increased awareness of the dangers associated with prolonged breath-holding underwater.

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By the Numbers
  • •Jack Roney was 39 years old at the time of his death.
  • •He held NC State's 200-yard breaststroke record from 2008 to 2011.
  • •Roney was underwater for over two minutes during the exercise.
  • •His death was ruled an accidental drowning without signs of foul play.
  • •The family seeks to raise awareness about shallow water blackout dangers.
Latest Updates
  • 7:32 PMYahoo Sports — Former College Swimmer and Dad of 5 Died While Practicing Holding His Breath, Autopsy Finds
What they're saying
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Jack Roney, a former NC State swimmer and assistant coach, died on July 5

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