Jodie Henry Is Named Aussie Swimmer of the Year

By Stephen J. Thomas

MELBOURNE, Australia. November 30. TRIPLE Olympic gold medalist and 100m freestyle world record-holder Jodie Henry became only the third Aussie woman to be awarded the title of Australian Swimmer of the Year, following in the slipstream of Susan O’Neill and Hayley Lewis in the 90's.

The 21-year-old Queenslander whose three gold all came in world record time (100 free, 400 free relay, 400 medley relay) edged out sentimental choice, triple Olympian Petria Thomas – also with three gold (100 fly, 400 free relay, 400 medley relay) and a silver (200 fly), Ian Thorpe – two gold (200 and 400 free), one silver (800 free relay) and a bronze (100 free) and the People’s Choice winner, Grant Hackett – one gold (1500 free) and two silver (400 free and 800 freestyle relay). Thorpe had dominated the award for the previous five years, including a joint win with Hackett last year.

Shannon Rollason, the coach of Henry and Alice Mills, was named Coach of the Year.

Other award winners:

Ian Thorpe: Men's freestyle sprinter and middle-distance award

Grant Hackett: Men's distance award

Petria Thomas and Brett Hawke: The swimmers' swimmer award

Leisel Jones: Women's breaststroke

Petria Thomas: Women's butterfly

Brooke Hanson: Female short course swimmer of the year

Matt Welsh: Men's short course and men's backstroke

Jim Piper: Men's breaststroke

Giaan Rooney: Women's backstroke

Adam Lucas: Australian Sports Commission male discovery of the year

Lara Carroll: ASC female discovery of the year, Women's IM

Travis Nederpelt: Men's IM

Danni Miatke; Women's youth

Leith Brodie: Men's youth

Linda MacKenzie: Women's middle distance

Sarah Paton: Women's distance

Geoff Huegill: Men's butterfly

Bernie Mulroy: Age group coach

Matthew Cowdrey: A 15-year-old who won two gold, two silver and two bronze medals at the Athens Paralympics, won the swimmer-with-a-disability award.

Peter Bishop: Swimmer with a disability coach

Women's 4×100 medley team: Golden Moment award for its Olympic win

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