New York, November 24, 2014 – Katie Ledecky was certainly a shoe-in for Female Athlete of the Year if ever there was one, at the 2014 Golden Goggle awards in New York City. Ledecky simply had a legendary summer, posting five world records over the course of just two months.
The record-breaking streak started at the lower-key The Woodlands Swim Team Senior Invitational in June, where she surpassed her own previous marks in both the 800m and 1500m freestyle events. Her run at world records continued at the Phillips 66 National Championships, where she earned national titles in the 200m, 400m, and 800m freestyle events. With her world record-setting time at the meet in the 400m freestyle (3:58.86), Ledecky became the first woman to hold the 400m, 800m, and 1500m freestyle world records at the same time since American Janet Evans.
Ledecky would continue to steamroll the record books as she became the first female to win four individual gold medals at a PanPacific Championshiops: 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m freestyle races. This included posting world records on consecutive nights in the 400m and 1500m freestyles – that means back-to-back nights, people! Ledecky was also a super power on the American women’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay, where she helped the team earn gold as well.
Tonight she can add “Female Race of the Year” and “Female Athlete of the Year” accolades to her already extensive list of achievements.
Katie Ledecky absolutely deserves this. She is an extremely consistent performer–on and off the world-stage–and a great example in and out of the pool. NCAP, Stanford, and Team USA are truly blessed to have her.