Former Gator Great Ryan Lochte Named USA Swimming's Athlete of the Year
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Former Gator great men's swimmer and two-time U.S. Olympian Ryan Lochte (Daytona Beach, Fla.) picked up yet another honor to add to his bountiful national and international career records and awards.
After winning five medals, including four gold, at the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome, Italy, this past summer, Lochte was named as USA Swimming's Athlete of the Year at the 2009 United States Aquatic Sports Banquet in Chicago, Ill. The Swimmer of the Year Award is presented to the athlete judged by the USA Swimming House of Delegates as the most outstanding swimmer of the previous year.
At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Lochte struck gold in the men's 200-meter backstroke, becoming the first Gator U.S. men's swimmer to win an individual gold medal, joining former UF swimmers Martin Zubero (Spain), current associate head coach Anthony Nesty (Suriname) and Duncan Armstrong (Australia) as Florida men with individual gold medals.
Lochte's three Olympic gold medals and six overall medals are the most for any men's swimmer in UF history.
A 24-time All-American and seven-time NCAA champion with the Gators, Lochte currently resides in Gainesville and continues to train with the Gators' club team. Lochte's younger brother, Devon Lochte, will continue the Gator swimming tradition as a freshman on Florida's 2009-10 roster.
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