COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Following a string of standout performances this summer at the World Aquatics Championships – Fukuoka 2023, USA Swimming is proud to honor this year’s best at the 20th Annual Golden Goggle Awards set for Sunday, November 19 at the J.W. Marriott at L.A. – LIVE in Los Angeles. 

Open water 10k bronze medalist Katie Grimes (Las Vegas, Nev./Sandpipers of Nevada) leads the group with four individual nominations following her standout performance and 2024 U.S. Olympic Team nomination at the 2023 World Aquatics Open Water Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.  
 
The Golden Goggle Awards nominations are based on the year’s top accomplishments by American swimmers, focusing primarily on the World Aquatics Championships – Fukuoka 2023. The U.S. team finished the pool meet with 38 medals (7g, 20s, 11b) – 13 more than any other competing federation and earning Team of the Meet distinction. 
 
The United States’ top swimmers and coaches are nominated in eight categories. The complete list of 2023 Golden Goggle Awards nominees by category is listed below. Bios are included on the online ballot and fan voting is now open through October 15 at 11:45 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 Los Angeles. The Golden Goggles online silent auction will open on November 10 at 10 a.m. MT with all proceeds benefiting the USA Swimming Foundation. Click here for more information. 
 
Proceeds from the Golden Goggle Awards benefit the USA Swimming Foundation, whose mission is to Save Lives, Build Champions, and Impact Communities. In addition to providing learn-to-swim grants and community impact 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.   

2023 Golden Goggle Award Nominees  

Breakout Performer  
This award is given to the athlete whose performance(s) stand out in relation to other years, with special emphasis on the 2023 World Aquatics Championships. 

Thomas Heilman 
Jack Alexy 
Dare Rose 
Katie Grimes 

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 2023 World Aquatics Championships. 

Todd DeSorbo 
Anthony Nesty 
Dave Durden 
Ron Aitken 
Bob Bowman 

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 2023 World Aquatics Championships. 

4x100m women’s medley 
4x100m men’s medley 
4x200m women’s free 

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 2023 World Aquatics Championships.  

Kate Douglass, 200m IM 
Katie Ledecky, 1500m free 
Katie Grimes, 10k 

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 2023 World Aquatics Championships. 

Bobby Finke, 1500m free 
Jack Alexy, 100m free 
Ryan Murphy, 100m 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 2023 World Aquatics Championships. 

Katie Ledecky 
Kate Douglass 
Regan Smith 
Katie Grimes  

Male Athlete of the Year 
This award is given to the top male swimmer of the year with special emphasis on achievements at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships. 

Ryan Murphy 
Bobby Finke 
Jack Alexy 
Carson Foster 

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 2023, with special emphasis on the 2023 World Aquatics Championships. 

Lydia Jacoby 
Ashley (Twichell) Wall 

Fran Crippen Open Water Swimmer of the Year 
This award is given to the athlete who had the most outstanding year as an open water swimmer, with an emphasis on the 2023 World Aquatics Championships. 

Katie Grimes 
Mariah Denigan  

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. 

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