Junior National qualifier Joy Cheng has given Harvard University a verbal commitment for the Fall 2028 recruiting class, joining Bella Smith in Cambridge as part of the Crimson’s incoming Class of 2032. Cheng excels in distance freestyle and individual medley, competing for the Chicago Wolfpack Aquatic Club and Whitney Young High School.
Cheng Boosts Harvard Scoring Depth
- Immediate Scoring Impact: Projected times indicate Cheng would have scored in multiple finals at the 2026 Ivy League Championships, instantly boosting Harvard’s conference scoring depth.
- Admissions Pathway: As an Ivy League verbal commitment, Cheng’s status remains contingent on navigating the university’s academic admissions process prior to enrollment.
The Chicago Standout’s Rising Profile
Cheng built significant momentum over the past year across both long course and short course metres. This past summer at the NCSA Summer Championships, she claimed a bronze medal in the 1500-meter freestyle. She also finished sixth in the 800-meter freestyle, 10th in the 200-meter individual medley, 17th in the 400-meter individual medley, and 18th in the 400-meter freestyle.
The previous winter season brought further success at Juniors West, where she secured four personal best times. She followed that performance at the Illinois Short Course Seniors by capturing gold medals in the 500 free, 1000 free, 100 breaststroke, and 200 IM. Domestically for Whitney Young High School, Cheng placed fourth in the 200 IM and fifth in the 500 free at the 2026 Illinois State Championships.
| Event | Personal Best Time |
|---|---|
| 500 Freestyle | 4:53.15 |
| 1000 Freestyle | 10:01.00 |
| 1650 Freestyle | 16:56.04 |
| 200 Individual Medley | 2:02.17 |
| 400 Individual Medley | 4:24.49 |
Projecting Impact on Ivy League Schools
Harvard finished third overall at the 2026 Ivy League Championships. An analysis of last season’s conference results shows that Cheng’s current best times would have immediately impacted the team standings. Her 200 IM and 500 free times would have placed her in the B-finals, while her 400 IM time would have scored in the C-final. Her mile time would have secured a top-18 finish at the conference meet.
Acknowledging her supporters, Cheng shared her thoughts on the milestone via social channels. “I’m very excited to announce my commitment to the admissions process at Harvard University!” Cheng stated. “I want to thank my family, friends, teammates, and high school coaches Gerald, Max, and Lance, for supporting me along the way! I would also like to thank the CWAC coaches, especially Coach Dave, Justin, Jamie, and Ethan, for helping me get this far! Lastly, a huge thank you to Coach Amanda and Coach Niko for giving me this amazing opportunity! I’m so grateful and can’t wait to be a part of the team! GO CRIMSON!!!❤️🤍”
Ivy League rules dictate that a verbal commitment does not constitute a guaranteed admission. Coaches in the conference cannot offer binding admissions guarantees, but they can commit athletic support through the admissions review cycle.
