ISHOF to celebrate Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal as kickoff to Honoree weekend

David Szanto has been involved with swimming dating back from the time he was an athlete.  He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the Hungarian Swimming Federation (Magyar Uszo Szovetseg).  He also holds the role of COO for various major organizing committees, including those of the 2022 FINA World Championships and the upcoming Budapest 2027 World Aquatics Championships, to be held next Summer.  

He has been a central figure in bringing major international swimming events to Hungary, serving as head of the local organizing committee, bringing multiple World Aquatic World Cups (2021, 2023) and the 2024 World Swimming Championships (25m).

Drew Johansen is only the third Coach to lead one of the most storied programs in the country: Diving at Indiana University.  Johansen took over the IU program in 2013.  He has been Head Coach for the U.S. Diving Team for the 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games.  Prior to the appointments, Johansen spent ten years as a U.S. National Team Coach.  Under Johansen’s direction, the United States took home one gold, five silver and four bronze medals, putting the U.S. team as the number two medal producer in the world.

96 year old Mary Black has spent a lifetime involved in synchronized swimming. She began by attending courses at the Crystal Palace in London and soon after, synchro was born in Scotland. Mary represented Scotland, performing overseas, including a demonstration at the 1970 Commonwealth Games.

By 1974 Mary was Chair of the International Synchronized Swimming Coaching Panel. Next, she became an international judge, where she served at numerous national and international synchro events, including the Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games, as well as many regional and national synchro championships. The pinnacle was when Mary was selected as event referee at four Olympic Games (1984, 1988, 1992, 1996). 

Mary was a member of the FINA Technical Synchronized Swimming Committee almost continuously from 1984 to 1996.  She was also the first woman to become President of the Scottish Amateur Swimming Association and the first person, male or female, to serve two terms.

Mary, along with husband Bill, developed the Judges’ Evaluation criteria document which evolved into the Synchronized Swimming Operating Manual used at all international competitions. 

Leeann Barnes is all things Water Polo.  She played on the Victorian State Team from 1975, leading to selection on the Australian National Team from 1978 to 1982. Next, she Barnes stepped into the vacated national coach role at the 1982 World Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador, followed by the manager role with the Australian National team from 1983 to 1992.  Barnes then joined the international committee pursuing the inclusion of women’s water polo onto the Olympic program, working tirelessly from 1982 until the success of that campaign in 1997.  Leanne then stepped into leadership roles with the Australian women’s program from 1986 until 2008. 

Barnes has been recognized in the Australian Honours system with the Order of Australia Medal OAM, in 2019, for services to water polo and women’s sport; and in 2021, with the Public Service Medal PSM, for services to local government and community, particularly in emergency management and resilience. 

The New Jersey Swim Safety Alliance is a collaborative coalition dedicated to advancing water safety and preventing drowning across communities throughout New Jersey. Through strong partnerships with swim schools, public agencies, healthcare leaders, and community organizations, the Alliance works to expand access to swim education and promote evidence-based safety practices. Their efforts focus on innovative programs, public awareness, and policy solutions that help keep children and families safe around water. United by a shared mission, the Alliance believes collaboration is the most powerful tool in creating lasting, community-wide impact. 

Together, they are building safer environments and saving lives through prevention, education, and action.