ODESSA, Texas (September 19, 2024) – The UT Permian Basin swimming & diving team has welcomed Anna James as their new assistant coach/diving coach.

James competed at Purdue University and graduated in 2019 with a degree in psychology. During that time, James competed in the 2016 Rio Olympic trials and finished third in the 10-meter synchronized dive with teammate Katrina Young. Before her time at Purdue and while diving for COM Aquatics in Midland, James' first Olympic Trials were the 2012 London Trials where she finaled in the 10-meter individual and finished in eighth place.

James has worked as a diving coach at COM Aquatics, which also serves as home venue for the Falcons, since August 2023.

She was also a graduate assistant at Midwestern State University (Aug. 2020 – Oct. 2021), and served as both the Head Coach (Oct. 2021 – Mar 2023) and Head of Operations (Oct. 2021 – July 2023) at Tomahawk Diving, LLC.

James is an accomplished diver. She was scheduled to compete at the FINA Diving World Cup in the summer of 2014 after placing second from the 10-meter platform at the 2013 USA Diving Winter Nationals before an injury sidelined her. She also won the 10-meter synchronized event at Winter Nationals with Jessica Parratto of Indiana University. James was a synchronized 3-meter champ at the 2012 Junior Nationals and was the 2013 5A high school state champion in Texas, becoming the first swimming and diving athlete from her school district to win a state title in more than 40 years. James also competed with Purdue's Mary Beth Dunnichay in synchronized diving at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai, China.

"I'm excited to bring Anna James on board to help build this team going forward," said UTPB Head Coach Brian Schroeder. "Her expertise is unparalleled and we are lucky to have her."

Born in Austin, Texas, James is the daughter of proud parents Steve and Christy James. James' older brother, Adam, played golf at Midland College.

James also has a connection to UTPB as her former high school coach, Jennifer Mangum, helped start the UTPB diving program in 2017 and served as the program's first Head Diving Coach before joining former UTPB Head Swimming Coach Betsy Graham at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) this past summer. Mangum coached James to a state championship in the 1-meter dive in 2013.