The annual Golden Goggle Award ceremony is taking place this year on November 17, 2008, and it should be a great event for the swimming world!  The Golden Goggle Awards celebrate top American swimmers for their accomplishment(s) that year.  Here are the categories and nominees this for this year’s awards:

Breakout Performer of the Year:

• Matt Grevers
• Christine Magnuson
• Rebecca Soni

Perseverance Award:

• Jason Lezak
• Eric Shanteau
• Emily Silver
• Dara Torres

Coach of the Year:

• Bob Bowman
• Teri McKeever
• Dave Salo
• Gregg Troy
• Eddie Reese

Relay Performance of the Year (all from the 2008 Olympic Games):

• Men’s 400m Free Relay
• Men’s 800m Free Relay
• Men’s 400m Medley Relay

Female Performance of the Year (all from the 2008 Olympic Games):

• Natalie Coughlin – 100m Backstroke
• Christine Magnuson – 100m Butterfly
• Rebecca Soni – 200m Breaststroke
• Dara Torres – 50m Freestyle

Male Performance of the Year (all from the 2008 Olympic Games):

• Ryan Lochte – 200m Backstroke
• Aaron Peirsol – 100m Backstroke
• Michael Phelps – 100m Butterfly
• Michael Phelps – 400m Individual Medley

Female Athlete of the Year:

• Natalie Coughlin
• Margaret Hoelzer
• Katie Hoff
• Rebecca Soni

Male Athlete of the Year:

• Jason Lezak
• Ryan Lochte
• Aaron Peirsol
• Michael Phelps

As you can see, Michael Phelps has a significant number of nominations but it will most likely be very very close!  Along with those awards, there are two Golden Goggle Awards given only in Olympic Years: the Impact Award, and the Humanitarian Award.

I hope everyone tunes in as the biggest American swimming stars turn out for this event!

Happy swimming!