COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Following multiple record-setting performances at the 2022 FINA Swimming World Championships, USA Swimming is proud to honor this year’s best at the 19th Annual Golden Goggle Awards set for Monday, November 21 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City.

World Champions Torri Huske (Arlington, Virginia/Stanford University) and Bobby Finke (Clearwater, Florida/Saint Petersburg Aquatics/University of Florida) lead the group of nominees with three individual nominations following their standout performances at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.  

The Golden Goggle Awards nominations are based on the year’s top accomplishments by U.S. swimmers, focusing primarily on the 2022 FINA Swimming World Championships, where Americans topped the medal table in Budapest with 45 medals (including 17 gold). The total medal count far exceeded that of the other nations and set a record for the most medals won in pool competition history. The previous record of 38 pool medals–also set by the United States in Budapest–came in 2017. 

The United States’ top swimmers and coaches are nominated in eight categories. The complete list of 2022 Golden Goggle Awards nominees by category is listed below. Bios are included on the online ballot and fan voting is now open through Friday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. MT. 

This year’s event will allow swimming stars and attendees to mingle with celebrities, outstanding athletes, business leaders and entertainment icons in New York City. On November 14, the Golden Goggles online auction will open with all proceeds benefiting the USA Swimming Foundation. Please visit www.usaswimming.org/foundation#golden-goggle-awards for more information.

Since 2004, proceeds from the Golden Goggle Awards have benefited the USA Swimming Foundation, whose mission is to Save Lives and Build Champions. In addition to providing learn-to-swim grants to programs across the country, the USA Swimming Foundation supports the U.S. National Team and its development efforts aimed at strengthening the future of USA Swimming’s programs and services. 

In 2020, USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation introduced the Community Impact grant program with the goal to increase competitive opportunities within USA Swimming clubs. Through these grants, USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation hope to grow the pipeline of champion athletes and to create more opportunities to broaden community access to USA Swimming.

The Community Impact grants focus on three areas of support:
• Creating partnerships between USA Swimming teams and a facility or recreational organization that doesn't currently have a team;
• Supporting USA Swimming Clubs led by women and/or diverse individuals; and
• Partnering USA Swimming clubs with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to create competitive programs for youth in campus pools.

For more information on USA Swimming’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, please visit www.usaswimming.org/diversity.  

Tickets are on sale now for this year’s Golden Goggle Awards. For questions or to purchase tickets or a table, please contact Foundation@usaswimming.org. To learn more about the USA Swimming Foundation, please visit https://www.usaswimming.org/foundation. 

2022 Golden Goggle Awards Nominees

Breakout Performer of the Year
This award is given to the athlete whose performance(s) stand out in relation to other years, with special emphasis on the 2022 FINA Swimming World Championships.

• Carson Foster
• Claire Curzan
• Leah Hayes
• Hunter Armstrong
• Torri Huske

Perseverance Award
This award is given to the athlete who came back from adversity, retirement, sickness, injury, etc., to have an outstanding performance(s) in 2021, with special emphasis on the 2022 FINA Swimming World Championships.

• Leah Smith
• Lilly King
• Luca Urlando

Coach of the Year
This award is given to the coach whose athlete(s) performed at the highest level throughout the year, with special emphasis on the 2022 FINA Swimming World Championships.

• Anthony Nesty
• Eddie Reese
• Ron Aitken
• Todd DeSorbo

Relay Performance of the Year
This award is given to the best team relay performance, male or female. The performance considered must be a finals performance, with special emphasis on the 2022 FINA Swimming World Championships.

• Women’s 4x200 Free Relay
• Men’s 4x200 Free Relay
• Women’s 4X100 Medley Relay 
• Men’s 4x100 Free Relay
• Mixed 4x100 Medley Relay

Female Race of the Year
This award is given to the female swimmer with the greatest single individual race of the year, with special emphasis on the 2022 FINA Swimming World Championships.

• Alex Walsh, 200 IM
• Katie Ledecky, 800 free
• Lilly King, 200 breast
• Regan Smith, 100 back
• Torri Huske, 100 fly

Male Race of the Year
This award is given to the male swimmer with the greatest single individual race of the year, with special emphasis on the 2022 FINA Swimming World Championships.

• Bobby Finke, 800 free
• Bobby Finke, 1500 free
• Carson Foster, 400 IM
• Ryan Murphy, 200 back
             
Female Athlete of the Year
This award is given to the top female swimmer of the year with special emphasis on achievements at the 2022 FINA Swimming World Championships.

• Alex Walsh 
• Katie Grimes
• Katie Ledecky
• Lilly King
• Regan Smith                                  
• Torri Huske

Male Athlete of the Year
This award is given to the top male swimmer of the year with special emphasis on achievements at the 2022 FINA Swimming World Championships.

• Bobby Finke
• Carson Foster
• Nic Fink
• Ryan Murphy