World champion swimmers Katie Ledecky and Bobby Finke won big at the 2022 Golden Goggle Awards, which were held on Monday, November 21 in New York City.
The annual awards show, benefitting the USA Swimming Foundation, celebrated the accomplishments of the USA Swimming Team at the 2022 FINA Swimming World Championships earlier this year in Budapest, Hungary.
Ledecky and Finke were named “Female Athlete” and “Male Athlete of the Year” respectively; moreover, their 800 meter freestyle races were both named “Female Race” and “Male Race of the Year” as well. Their coach Anthony Nesty (Florida Gators) was honored as the 2022 “Coach of the Year.”
Bobby Finke made history by becoming the first long-distance swimmer to win the “Male Athlete of the Year” accolade.
Ledecky’s performance as part of the women’s 4 x 200 meter freestyle relay was also recognized as “Relay Performance of the Year.” In that relay, Ledecky’s 1:53.67 split was the third-fastest relay split of all time.
Leah Hayes was named “Breakout Performer of the Year,” while Leah Smith took home the “Perseverance Award.” The youngest American on the roster to earn a medal, Leah Hayes was named this year’s Breakout Performer. In a World Junior Record time of 2:08.91, she won bronze in the 200 meter individual medley.
Carol Zaleski and Bill Maxson received “Impact Awards.” “I hope my legacy upon retirement reflects two principles,” Zaleski said. “One, that it’s an honor and a privilege to be involved in the sport. And second, if all decisions are based on what’s in the best interest of the athletes, good decisions will be made.”
Ledecky won gold in all four of her events at this year’s World Championships. She also became the first swimmer to ever five-peat as a world champion when she won the 800m freestyle. Her winning time of 8:08.04 was more than 10 seconds ahead of the field.
“Thank you to USA Swimming, USA Swimming Foundation, and all of our coaches and staff in Budapest,” Ledecky said. “Thank you to my family: my parents, and my brother for keeping me motivated, keeping me grounded. Thank you to TYR, I always feel confident diving in the water. Thank you to everyone in Florida, you’ve made it home for me. I love being a Gator,” she exclaimed in her acceptance speech.
Finke set two American records while winning gold and silver in the 800 meter and 1500 meter freestyle races, respectively, at this year’s World Championships. His 800 meter win marks the first gold for an American male athlete in this swimming event.
His winning time of 14:36.70 in the 1,500m was nearly three seconds faster than his gold medal performance at the 2020 Olympic Games. He also won the United States’ second medal in the event since 2015.
“Thank you to USA Swimming, USA Swimming Foundation, and my sponsor, TYR,” Finke said. “Thank you to the USA Swimming staff who were with us in Croatia and Budapest. Being part of USA Swimming is a dream come true. Being on the same team as guys like Nic Fink, Ryan Murphy, and Carson Foster – it means a lot.”
Since 2004, proceeds from the Golden Goggle Awards have benefited the USA Swimming Foundation, whose mission is to Save Lives, Build Champions, and Impact Communities.
In addition to providing nationwide learn-to-swim grants, 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 learn more about the USA Swimming Foundation, visit its official website.
