GoldenGogglesGoldenGoggles
Women's Swimming & Diving

Golden Goggles

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Junior psychology major Katie Ledecky and Paul A. Violich Director of Women's Swimming Greg Meehan won USA Swimming's prestigious Golden Goggles on Monday night in New York. 

Ledecky was named the Female Athlete of the Year for a record sixth consecutive time, while Meehan was honored as the Coach of the Year for the second straight year. 

"It's a great honor and it's always so much fun at Golden Goggles to celebrate the success of Team USA for the summer and the USA Swimming Foundation for all that they've done to save lives and build champions," Ledecky said. "It really is a great event that raises a lot for a great cause. It's a fun to be a part of it and be honored."

Ledecky led the Team USA women at the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships with five medals, including repeat gold-medal performances in the 400, 800 and 1500-meter freestyle events. She added silver in the 4x200 free relay and bronze in the 200 free. Earlier in 2018, Ledecky eclipsed her own world record in the 1500 free at the TYR Pro Swim Series at Indianapolis with a time of 15:20.48, won U.S. titles in the 200, 400 and 800 free at the 2018 Phillips 66 National Championships and claimed the women's overall TYR Pro Swim Series title. Prior to joining the professional ranks, Ledecky paced Stanford to a second straight NCAA women's team title with victories at the championship meet in the 500 and 1650-yard free. 

Meehan guided his student-athletes to the pinnacle of international and collegiate swimming in 2018. He coached five women onto the Team USA roster for the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships – Katie Drabot, Ella Eastin, Brooke Forde, Ledecky and Simone Manuel – combining for 11 medals in Tokyo. Ledecky and Manuel also captured a combined five titles at the 2018 Phillips 66 Nationals ranging from the 50m to 800m freestyle. In addition, he led Stanford to its second straight NCAA women's title in 2018 with one of the most dominating team performances in college swimming history.