Anthony Nesty wins Coach of the Year; Bobby Finke, Katie Ledecky claim multiple awards
NEW YORK, NY. – The Florida Gators swimming and diving program left quite the impression Monday night at the 2022 Golden Goggle Awards, winning six awards (five individual, one relay). Monday night marked the 18th edition of the awards ceremony, which began back in 2004 to recognize the USA’s most accomplished swimmers. This year’s awards were mostly based on performances from the 2022 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Head coach Anthony Nesty earned the 2022 Coach of the Year award. Nesty served as the head coach in Budapest, coaching multiple medal winners, including Bobby Finke, Katie Ledecky, Caeleb Dressel, and Trey Freeman. Nesty was also named the George Haines Coach of the Year by the ASCA back in September for his efforts at the World Championships.
Bobby Finke was named the 2022 Male Athlete of the Year, winning the award for the first time. Finke also won the 2022 Race of the Year for his American record-breaking 800m freestyle at the World Championships back in June with a 7:39.36. The Clearwater, Florida native now has won the Male Race of the Year in back-to-back years after pocketed the 2021 Male Race of the Year last year for his comeback win in the 800m freestyle to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics. Finke also broke the American record in the 1500m freestyle last June.
Volunteer coach Katie Ledecky won three Golden Goggle awards on the night, topping her decorated night with the 2022 Female Athlete of the Year. This is the eighth time Ledecky has won the award (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022), passing Michael Phelps for the most Golden Goggle awards in history. Ledecky won four gold medals at the World Championships in Budapest, winning gold in the 800m free, a race that won her the Race of the Year award tonight, and in the 4x200m freestyle, winning Really of the Year award alongside 2023 signee Bella Sims. Ledecky also took gold in the 1500m freestyle and 400m freestyle in Budapest.
2022 Golden Goggle Awards
Coach of the Year: Anthony Nesty
Male Athlete of the Year: Bobby Finke
Female Athlete of the Year: Katie Ledecky
Male Race of the Year: Bobby Finke – 800m freestyle
Female Race of the Year: Katie Ledecky – 800m freestyle
Relay Performance of the Year: Katie Ledecky, Bella Sims – Women’s 4x200m relay
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