news-engine

USA Swimming announced nominees for its annual Golden Goggle Awards, which will be Sept. 26 in Denver. Golden Goggles are largely based on performances at major international meets. In 2026, that meet was the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California, the biggest international meet held in the U.S. in 16 years. The U.S. topped the medal standings with 50 total and 19 golds at Pan Pacs, a meet for nations outside of Europe. The public can vote for the awards here through Sept. 6. 2026 Golden Goggle Awards Nominees Female Athlete of the Year Katharine Berkoff — Pan Pacs champ in 50m backstroke (American record), 100m back Kate Douglass — Pan Pacs champ in 50m freestyle (world record); broke American record in 100m free leading off a relay Katie Ledecky — Pan Pacs champ in 1500m freestyle Gretchen Walsh — Pan Pacs champ in 50m butterfly, 100m butterfly (broke world record earlier in 2026) Male Athlete of the Year Jack Alexy — Pan Pacs champ in 100m freestyle Luke Hobson — Pan Pacs champ in 200m freestyle Van Mathias — Pan Pacs champ in 100m breaststroke; broke American records in 50m,100m breaststrokes earlier in 2026 Quintin McCarty — Pan Pacs champ in 50m backstroke Coach of the Year Bob Bowman (University of Texas) Todd DeSorbo (University of Virginia) Braden Holloway (North Carolina State) Ray Looze (Indiana University Open Water Swimmer of the Year Josh Brown Mariah Denigan Becca Mann Ivan Puskovitch Relay Performance of the Year Mixed 4x100m Medley (Will Modglin, Van Mathias, Gretchen Walsh, Kate Douglass) Men’s 4x200m Freestyle (Luke Hobson, Aaron Shackell, Patrick Sammon, Gabriel Jett) Women’s 4x100m Freestyle (Kate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh, Torri Huske, Simone Manuel) Men’s 4x100m Medley (Will Modglin, Van Mathias, Luca Urlando, Jack Alexy) Breakout Performer of the Year Van Mathias Luka Mijatovic Anna Moesch McKenzie Siroky Isabelle Stadden