U.S. Open Women’s Preview: Katie Ledecky, Summer McIntosh Set for 400 Freestyle Battle as Olympic Prep Heats Up
by DAVID RIEDER – SENIOR WRITER
27 November 2023, 06:19am
U.S. Open Women’s Preview: Katie Ledecky, Summer McIntosh Set for 400 Freestyle Battle as Olympic Prep Heats Up
For the majority of the top swimmers in the United States, this weekend’s U.S. Open will mark their first major competition since this summer’s World Championships, a meet where the U.S. captured 38 medals but only seven gold, well behind Australia’s impressive 13 gold medals. The U.S. Open, a three-and-a-half-day meet held in Greensboro, N.C., following the NCAA Championships event order, should be considered a checkpoint, a chance for high-level racing experience with relatively low stakes.
That means if someone swims poorly, no problem. Plenty of work and refinement to go in the six-and-a-half months before the meet that really matters, the U.S. Olympic Trials. However, swimmers can certainly swim their way onto the radar or boost their standing in the status quo of American swimming with impressive efforts in Greensboro.
The full psych sheet is available here, and here are some of the swimmers and storylines to watch on the women’s side entering the meet:
1. Ledecky vs. McIntosh in 400 Freestyle
The last time 26-year-old American Katie Ledecky and 17-year-old Canadian Summer McIntosh raced each other, both took a backseat to Ariarne Titmus, who reclaimed the 400 free world record from McIntosh on her way to a dominant, world-title-winning performance . Ledecky placed second in that race while McIntosh ended up a shocking fourth. However, McIntosh would rebound in Fukuoka as she defended her gold medals in the 200 butterfly and 400 IM while Ledecky made history with her sixth consecutive world title in the 800 free plus her fifth gold in the 1500 free.
Don’t expect any world-record fireworks in Greensboro, but watching McIntosh and Ledecky race over eight lengths is always a treat for swimming fans. The two have contrasting styles in the 400 free, with McIntosh more likely to blast out the opening portion of the race while Ledecky swims a more steady race. We’ll see if they can get into sub-4:00 territory this early in the calendar, and whatever times they clock will undoubtedly be compared to anything Titmus swims as she races at various Australian state championship meets.
Ledecky will also try to keep pace with Siobhan Haughey in the 200 free, and in the longer-distance races, don’t be surprised if Ledecky swims times quicker than any other female in history. McIntosh is also entered in the 200 and 400 IM, 200 backstroke and 200 breaststroke.
2. Gretchen Walsh Takes Scintillating Form to Long Course
It has been an epic start to the college season for University of Virginia third-year Gretchen Walsh. After impressive early dual meet swims, Walsh swam the fastest times ever in the 50-yard free and 100-yard fly at the Tennessee Invitational while also blasting the quickest 100 free relay split ever and moving to just outside the top-10 in history in the 200 free. Up next? Long course at the U.S. Open.
Walsh made huge strides in the 50-meter course in 2023, qualifying for her first major international meet before winning one medal of each color at the World Championships, including individual bronze in the 50 fly and helping the American women’s 400 medley relay team to gold. Given her recent jumps in short course, should we expect best times this week? It’s not out of the question, and Walsh already ranks at or near the top of the American ranks in the 50 and 100 free plus 100 fly as she seeks her first Olympic berth next year.
The race in the 100 fly will feature her main American competition, American-record holder Torri Huske plus Virginia training partners Kate Douglass and Claire Curzan while all the top American sprinters, including Huske, Douglass, Curzan, Abbey Weitzeil and Olivia Smoliga, are all set for the U.S. Open as well, with Haughey providing extremely stiff competition in the 100 free. Even with the focus on the college season right now, this meet will provide a good indicator as to whether Walsh has another huge jump coming in long course.
3. Claire Curzan Swims First Meet with Virginia
Speaking of Virginia-trained athletes, Claire Curzan will be racing in non-intrasquad competition for the first time since transferring to the Cavaliers at the end of the summer. Curzan missed the World Championships team this summer, but she accepted a spot on the Worlds team for Doha this February as a chance for the high-level international racing she missed out on in 2023. In Greensboro, she will race all of her main events: the 50 and 100 free, 100 and 200 back and 100 fly.
Curzan is just 18 months removed from winning World Championships bronze in the 100 back as she carried a huge event load for Team USA at the 2022 edition of the global meet. Her performances at June’s U.S. Nationals were not indicative of her capabilities as she had been battling illness (but still was not far away from the team). We’ll get a sense here how she stacks up in each event and what might provide her best chances at qualifying for a second Olympic Games.
We know the fields in the sprint freestyle and 100 fly are full of all the main U.S. contenders, and it’s the same story in backstroke, with Regan Smith, Katharine Berkoff, Smoliga, Rhyan White, Phoebe Bacon and Kennedy Noble all in town. When the dust settles, don’t be surprised if Curzan is best-positioned in the 200 back as she has been quickly improving in that event in recent years before clocking 2:06.35 in a third-place finish at Nationals this summer.
4. Regan Smith Hoping to Counter Kaylee McKeown
The women’s backstroke events in 2023 belonged to Kaylee McKeown, who won world titles in all three and broke world records in all three, but Smith still had her best season in four years while taking three backstroke silver medals plus 200 fly bronze and medley relay gold at Worlds. Smith has not raced long course yet this fall, but she did clobber the American record in the 200-yard fly while racing exhibition at an Arizona State dual meet, a good sign that her progress under coach Bob Bowman is continuing to progress in year two of their partnership.
At the U.S. Open, Smith is entered in her three main events plus the individual medley races. She has made major improvements to a previously-lackluster breaststroke that put her in position to challenge the top 200 IMers in the country this year, and the event lineup at the U.S. Open means that she will likely race McIntosh, Douglass and Alex Walsh, who happen to be four of the top seven performers in history. But it will be intriguing to see what kind of times she can clock in the backstroke events, a test of her current training as she prepares to challenge McKeown once again in Paris.
5. What’s Next for Lilly King?
There’s nothing Lilly King can prove at the U.S. Open. She still has not lost the 100 breaststroke on American soil since 2015, and she has been among the two swimmers representing the Stars and Stripes in the 200 breast at every major meet since her senior-level international debut at the 2016 Olympics. But for King, who turns 27 in February, her international results have not been as strong. She still won medals in both the 100 and 200 breast at the Tokyo Olympics, and in 2022, King won the 200 breast world title despite being sick shortly before the meet. She narrowly missed the podium in the 100 breast.
King’s struggles at the 2023 Worlds were most surprising, as she did not win a medal in either the 100 or the 200 breast despite entering the meet as the strong world-title favorite over two laps and the defending champion over four. She finished the meet strongly with a 50 breast silver and a strong leg on the U.S. women’s gold-medal-winning 400 medley relay. Leading into the Olympic year, King wants to continue her high level of racing in domestic meets to provide herself with a third Olympic opportunity and a chance at returning to gold-medal form.
Happy Birthday Mustapha Larfaoui!!
Mustapha Larfaoui (ALG)
Honor Contributor (1998)
FOR THE RECORD: FINA: President (1988-present), Vice President (1972-1988); African Swimming Confederation: Founding Member, President (1974-present); Union of African Sports Confederation: Founding Member, President (1987-present); Algerian Olympic Committee: Founding Member, Secretary General (1962-1967); International Olympic Committee Member; Algerian Swimming Federation: Founding Member (1962), President (1962-1983 & 1985-1989), Vice President (1989-1995), Honorary Life Member (1995-present); Algerian Olympic Committee: Assistant Secretary General (1967-1984), Vice President (1984-1989); IOC Commission for the Olympic Movement: Member; Apartheid and Olympism Commission: Former Member; GAISF Council: Member (1989-1993); ASOIF: Council Member (1993-present); Evaluation Commission of candidate cities for the Games of the XXVII Olympiad in 2000: Member; Coordination Commission for the Games of the XXVII Olympiad in 2000: Member; IOC Working Group on Women and Sport: Member; Ministry of Youth and Sport in Algeria: Counsellor.
Few international representatives have had such a profound impact on aquatics than this great man from Algeria. In an unassuming, diplomatic manner, he has presided over FINA for 12 years, guiding the greatest growth in organized aquatics since Federation International de Natation Amateur was established in 1908. Only Harold Fern of Great Britain and Javier Ostos of Mexico have served two terms as FINA president. Mustapha Larfaoui has served three terms, and for 35 years has helped develop and implement major policy actions affecting all aquatic disciplines.
He is the first African to hold the presidency of world swimming. Born in 1932, he was a water polo player in his youth. In 1962, at the age of 30, he founded the Algerian Swimming Federation. Also on a national level in 1963, he was a founding member of the Algerian Olympic Committee, serving as secretary general until 1967. Devoted to his continent, he has served many years as president of the African Amateur Swimming Confederation and the Union of African Sports Confederations.
He was a member of the General Association of International Sports Federations and remains on the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations. In 1995, he was elected to international sports highest council, the International Olympic Committee. At the IOC he serves on the commissions for the Olympic Movement and Coordination for the 2000 Olympic Games.
President of FINA since 1988, his presidential tenure accomplishments are many. He established women’s water polo as an Olympic event, the FINA Marathon Swimming World Cup Series was born, Short Course World Championships were initiated, FINA Diving Grand Prix and Synchronized Diving were instituted, Synchronized Swimming team entry became an Olympic event, an athletes commission was formed, increasing numbers of clinics and international seminars were held, a doping control program was instituted, the FINA archives were organized and the list continues to grow.
Mustapha globe trots the world giving the personal touch to members of each National Federation. He deems personal commitment and exposure as absolutely essential so that no one is isolated and all share in a common vision for the future of aquatics. Speaking a universal language, his warm smile, comfortable manner and steadfast purpose have been vital to the successful growth of FINA and the aquatics disciplines.
As the chief international-level decision-maker for 12 years, Mustapha Larfaoui has strived in his efforts to execute good decisions and the right decision to benefit the aquatic disciplines and those who participate in them.
Happy Birthday Tracey Wickham!!
Tracey Wickham (AUS)
Honor Swimmer (1992)
FOR THE RECORD: OLYMPIC GAMES: 1976 Olympic Team Member; WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1978, gold (400m & 800m freestyle); AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: 17 (200m, 400m, 800m & 1500m freestyle, 100m butterfly); WORLD RECORDS: 5 (400m, 800m, 1500m freestyle); COMMONWEALTH GAMES: 1978, gold (400m & 800m freestyle), silver (200m freestyle & relay), bronze (relay); 1982 (400m & 800m freestyle); U.S. OPEN RECORD: 1 relay; AAU: 1 relay; FINA CUP: 1979, silver (400m freestyle), 6th (100m butterfly), 5th & 6th (relays).
Tracey Wickham of Australia set world records in the 400-meter and 800-meter freestyle in 1978. It was not until 1987 that Janet Evans of the USA broke them– a period of 9 1/2 years. All totaled, she set five world records in the 400-meter, 800-meter and 1500-meter freestyles in a a period of two years.
Born in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1962, Tracey began swimming at age eight and broke her first State age group record in the 200-meter backstroke at age 10. Her first National gold medal came in the 200-meter individual medley at age 12, but it was the middle and distance freestyles which were to be Tracey’s strong events. By age 13, she had made the 1976 Australian Olympic team as the youngest competitor on the team.
It was the year following the Olympics that Tracey and her family moved to Mission Viejo for a nine month period and trained with Mark Shubert. Upon returning to Brisbane, Tracey broke the 1500-meter freestyle world record in a solo swim. Two weeks later she broke the 800-meter freestyle world record and only six months later, the 400-meter freestyle world record. Before the next year was over, she broke the 1500-meter and 800-meter freestyle world records again.
Tracy dominated the middle distance freestyle event for women in the years preceding the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
In 1978 Tracey started a nine week international swimming tour in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, by taking six seconds off the 800-meter freestyle world record of teammate Michelle Ford at the Commonwealth Games. Next came the Berlin World Championships that same month and another record in the 400-meter freestyle where she also went on to win the 800-meter freestyle a few days later. She became Australia’s only gold medalist at the Championships and her country’s first gold medalist in World Championship history. Her remarkable accomplishments were all the more spectacular as her taper was getting stale after nine weeks on the road. Six months later she reset the 1500-meter freestyle world record in the Australian Championships in Perth.
Tracey was selected for the 1980 Australian Olympic team but pulled out for personal and family reasons. She retired, but came back eight months later to win gold medals in the 100-meter butterfly and 200-meter freestyle at the Australian National Championships. Her coach, Laurie Lawrence, was her inspiration to continue training for the 1982 Commonwealth Championships in her hometown of Brisbane where she repeated her 400-meter and 800-meter freestyle victories from four years earlier and took the silver in the 200-meter freestyle.
Before Tracey was through, she had 260 Australian records, twelve Commonwealth records, and was voted the Australian Sportsperson of the Year in 1978, as well as receiving the Australian Sportswoman of the Year, 1978 and 1979. Queen Elizabeth presented her with the prestigious M.B.E.–Member of the British Empire recognition in 1978.
Happy Birthday Marcella MacDonald!!
Marcella MacDonald (USA)
Honor Open Water Swimmer (2019)
FOR THE RECORD: 16 ENGLISH CHANNEL CROSSINGS INCLUDING 3 DOUBLE CROSSINGS, LOCH NESS (36 km/22 miles), AROUND THE ISLAND OF JERSEY UK (66 km/41 miles), EDERLE SWIM (28 km/17.5 miles), Three times across LONG ISLAND SOUND (27 km/17 miles), 5 times around MANHATTAN ISLAND (46 km/28.5 miles), MOLOKAI CHANNEL (42 km/26 miles), TAMPA BAY (24 miles), 3 times BOSTON HARBOR (10 miles), MAUI CHANNEL (10 miles), MERCER ISLAND, WA (20 km/12.4 miles) and the TRIPLE CROWN.
When she was just 12-years-old, she knew open water swimming was her passion, and she told her younger sister that she would swim the English Channel one day.
In high school, Marcella MacDonald swam competitively until she was 17, and went to American International College as a softball player. While in college, she would sneak into the nearby Springfield College pool during her free time to swim.
In 1993, MacDonald first heard of an opportunity to swim around the island of Manhattan and has since completed the 28.5-mile swim five times.
In 1994, Marcella MacDonald made her childhood dream come true, at the age of 28. Since then, she has swum the English Channel 16 times, including three times when she did a double cross, swimming there and back. MacDonald was the first American woman to swim across the Channel, from England to France and back in 2001.
At 18.2 nautical miles, the English Channel is considered by many to be the “Mount Everest” of open water swims. Only 1500 men and women have successfully swam the English Channel and many, many more have tried. The trek generally starts at the White Cliffs of Dover at Shakespeare Beach and ends on the shore of Cape Gris Nez. By many accounts, it is the most difficult swim to finish. It’s a very cold, 20-mile swim in water that is much saltier, and the changing tides approaching the French shore can force swimmers to basically swim in place for up to four hours.
The English Channel and the Manhattan Island Marathon swim are a part of the Triple Crown of open water swimming, which also features the Catalina Channel Swim, a 20.1-mile swim from Catalina Island to the shores of San Pedro, California. MacDonald completed the triple crown in June, 2013 when she swam the Catalina Channel in 12 hours and 9 minutes.
MacDonald has also successfully completed the 24-mile Tampa Bay, Florida Marathon Swim, a solo swim around Mercer Island in Washington, and a 17-mile swim across the Long Island Sound in New York.
She has successfully crossed the Ka ’iwi Channel and Maui Channel in Hawaii and has also completed the 41-mile Round Jersey solo swim in the United Kingdom. MacDonald also swam the Lochness, a 22 mile swim.
This past September, MacDonald even attempted the 52-mile swim from the UK to Belgium in St. Margaret’s Bay, something no man or woman has ever completed. After 15 hours, an injury to her left shoulder forced her to stop at a beach north of France.
In addition to her open water swimming accomplishments, Dr. Marcella MacDonald is a Podiatrist who operates her own practice in Manchester, Connecticut. In her spare time, she enjoys coaching at the Laurel East Hartford YMCA and gives talks about her exciting adventures and open water swims.
MacDonald has already been inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 2005 and was named the Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year in 2011 by the World Open Water Swimming Association.
MacDonald still finds the time to train to ensure she is ready for the next big swim. She is usually in the water training every day at 5:30 a.m. This July, she is set to swim the English Channel again, on the 25th anniversary of her first crossing. The way she puts it, “it’s just right stroke, left stroke, right stroke, left stroke — for hours on end.”
Happy Birthday Shane Gould!!
Shane Gould (AUS)
Honor Swimmer (1977)
FOR THE RECORD: OLYMPIC GAMES: 1972 gold (200m, 400m freestyle; 200m individual medley), silver (800m freestyle), bronze (100m freestyle); WORLD RECORDS: 11 (from 100m to 1500m freestyle); “World Swimmer of the Year”: 1971, 1972.
Shane Gould, in a short but brilliant career, held every freestyle world record and the four stroke 200 Individual Medley. She broke the oldest record in the books when she beat Dawn Fraser’s 100m World Record at Sydney on January 8, 1972 (58.5). Fraser had held the record almost 16 years since December 1, 1956. In one short period form April 13, 1971 until January 8, 1972, Shane set 7 world records. She was 2nd only to Mark Spitz at the Munich 1972 Olympics in that no female swimmer had ever won 5 individual medals in swimming.
USA Swimming Elects 2022 Honoree Natalie Coughlin as Board Vice-Chair, Kenneth Chung as Vice-Chair Fiscal Oversight
by DAN D’ADDONA — SWIMMING WORLD MANAGING EDITOR
20 November 2023, 02:39pm
USA Swimming, the national governing body for swimming in the United States, today announced the election of Natalie Coughlin as Board Vice-Chair, Chair-Elect, and Kenneth Chung as Vice-Chair Fiscal Oversight.
Coughlin will serve as the Vice-Chair through September 2025, and then will automatically elevate to the position of Board Chair through 2029. Coughlin is a 12-time Olympic medalist who has been serving on the USA Swimming Board as a director since 2016. She is the co-founder of Gaderian Wines in the Napa Valley and an ambassador for Athleta.
Chung was re-elected to a final term as Vice-Chair Fiscal Oversight, having served in this role since 2020. Chung also serves as a USA Swimming Official in North Texas and is a PhD candidate in Organization Development.
“We are pleased to announce the election of Natalie and Kenneth, two people who continue to give so much of their time and focus to our sport,” said Chris Brearton, USA Swimming Board Chair. “These are not easy roles, as we rely on the officers of the Board to work closely with staff, coaches, athletes, officials and volunteers to guide the organization’s future. We appreciate Natalie and Kenneth’s continued commitment to making swimming the sport of choice for young athletes in the United States.”
“I am honored to be chosen as the next Chair of the Board of Directors for USA Swimming,” said Coughlin. “This sport has given so much to me for decades, and I continue to want to give back to the growth and success of swimming in the United States.”
Coughlin and Chung assume their roles immediately.
About USA Swimming As the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming in the United States, USA Swimming is a 400,000-member service organization that promotes the culture of swimming by creating opportunities for swimmers and coaches of all backgrounds to participate and advance in the sport through clubs, events, and education. Our membership is comprised of swimmers from the age group level to the Olympic Team, as well as coaches and volunteers. USA Swimming is responsible for selecting and training teams for international competitions including the Olympic Games and strives to serve the sport through its core objectives. For more information, visit www.usaswimming.org.
— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with USA Swimming. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.
USA Swimming hosts 20th Annual Golden Goggle Awards in L.A.: Katie Ledecky, Kate Douglass Tie For Female Swimmer of Year; Ryan Murphy Prevails
Photo Courtesy: John Lohn
by DAN D’ADDONA — SWIMMING WORLD MANAGING EDITOR
19 November 2023, 07:58pm
USA Swimming honored this year’s best at the 20th Annual Golden Goggle Awards on Sunday, Nov. 19, at the J.W. Marriott at L.A. in Los Angeles.
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 show was hosted by Summer Sanders and Elizabeth Beisel and began with an introduction of the worlds team.
Male Race of the Year – Bobby Finke
Bobby Finke won the Golden Goggle Award for male race of the year. At worlds, he broke the American record in the 1500 freestyle to earn the silver medal. It is the third straight race of the year honor for Finke.
The other nominees were Ryan Murphy in the 100 backstroke and Jack Alexy in the 100 free.
Female Race of the Year – Katie Grimes
Katie Grimes won the Female Race of the Year award after taking bronze in the 10K open water race to clinch a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The other nominees were Katie Ledecky in the 1500 free and Kate Douglass in the 200 IM.
Breakout Swimmer of the Year – Jack Alexy
Jack Alexy was named Breakout Swimmer of the Year. He won a pair of silver medals in the sprint freestyle events at worlds and was also part of a couple of U.S. relays.
The other nominees were Thomas Heilman, Katie Grimes and Dare Rose.
Relay of the Year – Gretchen Walsh, Lilly King, Kate Douglass and Regan Smith
The Relay of the Year Golden Goggle award went to the women’s 400 medley relay that won the gold medal behind Gretchen Walsh, Lilly King, Kate Douglass and Regan Smith, along with prelim swimmers Abbey Weitzeil and Lydia Jacoby.
The other nominees were the men’s medley relay and the women’s 800.
Foundation Impact Awards – Tim and Jennifer Buckley
Tim and Jennifer Buckley were named as recipients of the Impact Award by the USA Swimming Foundation as mentors.
Coaching Impact Award – Eddie Reese
The coaching impact award went to longtime Texas and Team USA coach Eddie Reese.
“Awards aren’t really my thing – you guys are my thing,” Reese said.
Coach of the Year – Dave Durden
Dave Durden of Cal was named Coach of the Year. He coached six athletes at the World Championships that combined for 20 medals, including relay spots.
The other nominees were Todd DeSorbo, Bob Bowman, Anthony Nesty and Ron Aitken.
Perseverance Award – Lydia Jacoby
The Golden Goggle Award for perseverance went to Lydia Jacoby. After a breakout Olympic year, Jacoby struggled with depression and mental health issues and has fought through to return to the world’s top stage, earning the bronze medal in the 100 breaststroke at worlds.
“This means so much. We all struggle. Missing that team in 2022 felt like the end of the world, but … it was the beginning of a new one, Jacoby said.
New mom Ashley Twichell was the other nominee.
Alumni Award – Lenny Krayzelburg
This inaugural award for alumni who give back to the sport after retirement went to Lenny Krayzelburg.
Fran Crippen Open Water Award – Katie Grimes
The Open Water Swimmer of the Year award that honors the late Fran Crippen was awarded to Katie Grimes, who won the bronze in the 10K to qualify for Paris.
The other nominee was Mariah Denigan.
Male Swimmer of the Year – Ryan Murphy
Ryan Murphy was named Male Swimmer of the Year. He won four medals in Fukuoka, including gold in the 100 backstroke and silver in the 200 backstroke.
The other nominees were Bobby Finke, Jack Alexy and Carson Foster.
Female Swimmer of the Year
The final award of the night was the Female Swimmer of the Year and it was a tie, going to Katie Ledecky and
Kate Douglass.
Ledecky won world titles in the 1500 free and 800 free, the latter for the record sixth time.
Meanwhile, Douglass earned six medals in Fukuoka, tied for the most. She won gold in the 200 IM.
The other nominees were Katie Grimes and Regan Smith.
Photo Courtesy: John Lohn
Honoring the Life of a Synchronized Swimming Legend ~ Sue Ahlf ~ 2003 ISHOF Paragon Winner
BY USA ARTISTIC SWIMMING
Sue Ahlf’s interest with synchronized swimming began in 1946 at the Athens Club in Oakland, California when Betty Brandlein and Hall of Famer Dawn Bean sparked her excitement. She became a volunteer with the U.S. Synchronized Swimming Pacific Association. In 1955, Sue founded the Soltau Swim Club in Danville, California and became an official synchronized swimming judge. After several successful years, the club dissolved and she worked with the Howell Swim Team.
But in 1968, she founded the Walnut Creek (CA) Aquanuts. She coached the club until 1980 when she moved to Hawaii. To date, Walnut Creek has won 30 U.S. National Championships and is coached by her Hall of Fame daughter, Gail Emery. While in Hawaii, Sue introduced synchronized swimming to the islands and hosted two each Pan-Pacific Games, Far Western Meets and U.S. National Championships.
Sue is an internationally ranked judge, synchro clinician and manager for two U.S. junior national teams. She is now involved in Sacramento’s (CA) recreation league teaching the basics of synchronized swimming to more than 600 athletes each year. She holds a B.S. in Recreation Management from Cal State Hayward. Sue is a 1983 U.S.S.S. Hall of Fame inductee and a current member of the U.S.S.S. Board of Governors. She is a tireless volunteer who has devoted her life to the advancement of synchronized swimming.
Katie Ledecky Reflects on Superb 2023 Campaign; Looks Ahead to Olympic Year (Video Interview)
by JOHN LOHN – EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
20 November 2023, 06:56am
Katie Ledecky Reflects on Superb 2023 Campaign; Looks Ahead to Olympic Year (Video Interview)
On Sunday night in Los Angeles, distance legend Katie Ledecky shared Female Swimmer of the Year accolades with Kate Douglass during the 20th edition of USA Swimming’s Golden Goggle Awards. It was the latest award in a spectacular career for Ledecky, who at last summer’s World Championships captured titles in the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle. The gold medal in the 800 free was Ledecky’s sixth straight.
Now, the focus for Ledecky shifts to the Olympic campaign. The 2024 Games are scheduled for Paris, where Ledecky will chase a fourth consecutive gold in the 800 freestyle. She won her first gold in that event as a 15-year-old in 2012, and followed with victories in 2016 and 2021. To date, only Michael Phelps (200 individual medley; 2004-2016) has won the same event at four straight Olympics. Ledecky is also the reigning Olympic champ in the 1500 freestyle, having captured the inaugural women’s title in the event at the Tokyo Games.
Prior to the start of the Golden Goggle Awards, Ledecky took time to speak with Swimming World about her 2023 season, the dynamic training group with whom she works at the University of Florida and the approaching Olympic year.
Penny Lee Dean, EdD to receive the 2024 Poseidon Award
FORT LAUDERDALE –The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) will recognize Penny Lee Dean, EdDfor her high-level achievement in marathon swimming with the 2024 Poseidon Award. TheAward will be presented to Penny during the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame(IMSHOF) Induction and Award Ceremony on Saturday May 18th, 2024 in Cancun México.The Poseidon Award is presented annually by the International Swimming Hall of Fame tothe organization or individual for high level achievement from personal effort or initiative in afield of endeavor that contributes to the performance of marathon swimmers or to thedevelopment and status of Marathon Swimming to the world.
This year’s award honors Penny Lee Dean, EdD. She delivered high level achievements asa marathon swimmer: won 1 major (1979 World Professional Marathon SwimmingFederation) and other prestigious races, set 2 overall Catalina Channel speed records whichstill stand more than 40 years later, set overall English Channel speed record which stoodfor 16 years and female record which stood for 28 years.
Penny delivered high level achievements as an administrator: Catalina Channel SwimmingFederation – Founder, President more than 10 years and Historian/Board Member for morethan 40 years. Meet director for the 1984 USA Long Distance International Championshipsacross the Catalina Channel.
She delivered high level achievements as a coach: USA Swimming National Open WaterTeam Coach for twelve years (winning every competition) – taking teams to the 1991 PanPacific Championships; 1991 World Swimming Championships; 1982/1986/1990Windermere Championships; 1990 English Channel Race and 1984/1989 Catalina ChannelRaces.
She was inducted as an Honor Swimmer in the International Marathon Swimming Hall ofFame (IMSHOF) in 1980. The International Swimming Hall of Fame inducted Penny In 1996and presented her with the Buck Dawson Authors Award in 1998.
For additional information, please call Ned Denison in Ireland at (+353) 87-987-1573 or ISHOF at (+1 954) 462-6536, or visit https://ishof.org