{
  "id": 3718364,
  "title": "USA Swimming announces Golden Goggles nominees; how to vote",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/usa-swimming-announces-golden-goggles-nominees-how-to-vote",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-27T10:35:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/usa-swimming-announces-golden-goggles-103510858.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "USA Swimming has unveiled the nominees for its prestigious Golden Goggle Awards, set to take place on September 26 in Denver. These awards, primarily based on performances at significant international competitions, were decided after the Pan Pacific Championships held in Irvine, California. This was the largest international event held in the U.S. in 16 years, where the U.S. team dominated with 50 total medals, including 19 golds.\n\nThe voting for these awards is open to the public until September 6. Here are the nominees:\n\nFemale Athlete of the Year: Katharine Berkoff, who won the Pan Pacs in the 50m backstroke (setting an American record) and the 100m backstroke.\n\nMale Athlete of the Year: Jack Alexy, who claimed the Pan Pacs title in the 100m freestyle.\n\nCoach of the Year: Bob Bowman from the University of Texas, along with Todd DeSorbo from the University of Virginia and Braden Holloway from North Carolina State.\n\nOpen Water Swimmer of the Year: Josh Brown, along with Mariah Denigan, Becca Mann, and Ivan Puskovitch.\n\nRelay Performance of the Year: The Mixed 4x100m Medley consisting of Will Modglin, Van Mathias, Gretchen Walsh, and Kate Douglass.\n\nBreakout Performer of the Year: Van Mathias, a remarkable comeback story. Despite being away from swimming for two years, Van Mathias has emerged as the fastest American breaststroker in history. This is a tale of perseverance and success against all odds.",
  "summary": "The Golden Goggles are USA Swimming's annual awards for top performers at major meets.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}