Following a 50-medal performance in the pool by the United States at the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California, USA Swimming has announced its nominees for the 2026 Golden Goggle Awards. This year's event takes place September 26 in Denver, Colorado, and will be the 23rd year the celebratory awards show has run.

This year's ballot features six awards: Female Athlete of the Year, Male Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, Open Water Swimmer of the Year, Relay Performance of the Year, and Breakout Performer of the Year.

Fans can vote using the online ballot here. Fan voting is open now through Sunday, September 6 at 11:59 p.m. MT.

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.

To purchase a seat at this year's Golden Goggle Awards, to stay updated with the upcoming online auction, or to see other opportunities to get involved with the event, visit https://www.usaswimming.org/foundation/ways-to-engage/golden-goggle-awards.

2026 Golden Goggle Awards Ballot

Female Athlete of the Year

• Katharine Berkoff
• Kate Douglass
• Katie Ledecky
• Gretchen Walsh

Male Athlete of the Year

• Jack Alexy
• Luke Hobson
• Van Mathias
• Quintin McCarty

Coach of the Year

• Bob Bowman
• Todd DeSorbo
• Braden Holloway
• Ray Looze

Open Water Swimmer of the Year

• Josh Brown
• Mariah Denigan
• Becca Mann
• Ivan Puskovitch

Relay Performance of the Year

• Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay (Will Modglin, Van Mathias, Gretchen Walsh, Kate Douglass)
• Men's 4x200m Freestyle Relay (Luke Hobson, Aaron Shackell, Patrick Sammon, Gabriel Jett)
• Women's 4x100m Freestyle Relay (Kate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh, Torri Huske, Simone Manuel)
• Men's 4x100m Medley Relay (Will Modglin, Van Mathias, Luca Urlando, Jack Alexy)

Breakout Performer of the Year

• Van Mathias
• Luka Mijatovic
• Anna Moesch
• McKenzie Siroky
• Isabelle Stadden