Phelps Wins USA Swimming’s “Swimmer of the Year” Award, Bowman Cops “Coach of the Year Honors”

SAN DIEGO, September 13. THERE were no surprises this evening at the United States Aquatic Sports Banquet in San Diego, Calif., as Michael Phelps took home both the ConocoPhillips Performance Award and USA Swimming Swimmer of the Year Award, and his coach Bob Bowman was named the year's outstanding coach.

Phelps: Swimmer of the Year
Phelps, 18, of the North Baltimore Aquatic Club had an unparalleled year in 2003, winning four gold and two silver medals at the FINA World Championships, setting five world and seven American record records along the way. In addition, he became the first man in history to win five events at a U.S. Nationals, setting one world and three American records.

He also won four events at the Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool, where he set one world, two American and three U.S. Open records.

All told, he set eight world records this year – seven in a span of 41 days – and received his awards with a standing ovation from the house.

“There’s two people I really want to thank,” Phelps said. “And that’s my mother and coach Bob Bowman. Without the support they’ve given me throughout the year, I wouldn’t be standing here accepting this award. Hopefully, it will be another successful year next year.”

Bowman: Counsilman Coach of the Year
Michael's longtime coach and mentor, Bob Bowman, received the Counilman Coach of the Year award.

“To receive an award named for Doc Counsilman means a lot, because he revolutionized not only the sport of swimming, but also the profession of coaching,” Bowman said. “I’d like to accept this on behalf of the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, especially (head coach) Murray Stephens.

“We have a very talented and dedicated staff that teaches the young ones, and very talented and dedicated athletes that I’m blessed to work with every day.”

Athletes' Appreciation: Jerry Olson
USA Swimming also recognized two other individuals with awards tonight.

Winning the Athletes’ Appreciation Award was Jerry Olson, who passed away earlier this year. The award is given annually to the individual or organization perceived by the Athletes Committee to have contributed most significantly to the athletes’ movement.

Olson also received the U.S. Aquatic Sports’ R. Max Ritter Award, presented annually to the organization or individual of a FINA member federation who has contributed the most to the advancement of understanding and goodwill among nations through internationals participation in amateur aquatic sports. His wife Jean was on hand to accept both awards.

“Thank you very much for the honor,” Jean Olson said. “Jerry loved the athletes, and to receive their award would have honored him greatly.”

USA Swimming Award: Jim Wood
The USA Swimming Award recognizes exceptional contributions to the sport of swimming and is presented annually to an individual or organization selected for financial, material or service contributions to USA Swimming.

This year’s recipient was Jim Wood.

“It feels really odd to receive an award for doing something you really enjoy doing so much,” Wood said. “This is the best award I’ll ever get.”

Other Awards and Honors
Open Water Swimmer of the Year Award – Dan DeMarco.

Open Water Committee Award – City of Fort Meyers, Lee County Parks and Recreation, Swim Florida.

Glenn S. Hummer Award (Open Water) – Dr. Jim Miller.

Adapted Swimming Award (For biggest contribution to furthering sport of adapted swimming) – Walt and Anneliese Eggert.

Adapted Swimmer of the Year Ward (Trisha L. Zorn Award) – Travis Mohr.

Ken Pettigrew Award (Officials) – Carol Zaleski.

Developmental Coach of the Year Award – Rick Curl and Ray Mitchell.

Presentation to Life Members – Ralph Bovard, Minnesota Swimming; Pam Cook, Lake Erie Swimming; Jim Kelly, Florida Swimming; John Lorimer, Colorado Swimming; Dr. Dave Meagher, Central California Swimming; Millie Nygren, Pacific Swimming; Joe Ogilvie, Missouri Valley Swimming; Dave Olson, Ohio Swimming; Allen Reeve, South Texas Swimming; Judy Reeve, South Texas Swimming; Bruce Stratton, Snake River Swimming; Bettie Williams, Southern California Swimming; Annette Leach, Gulf Swimming.

Presentation to Past Board Members – Matt Hooper, athlete representative 2002; Charly Mallery, program operations vice-president 1994-98, Southern Zone director 1998-2000; Eric Namesnik, athlete representative 1996-2002; Leanne Spletzer, Eastern Zone director 1994-98, program development vice-president 1998-2002; John Wilson, Southern Zone director 1994-98, national administrative vice-president 1998-2002; Dale Neuburger, Central Zone director 1990-94, local administrative vice-president 1994-98, president 1998-2002.

–Courtesy USA Swimming, adapted

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