The 2024 Golden Goggle Awards, an annual celebration of American swimming excellence, honored the standout performances of the year. And this year, the spotlight of the event was grabbed by Torri Huske and Bobby Finke. The Golden Goggle Awards have long been a cornerstone of USA swimming, recognizing the exceptional accomplishments of athletes, coaches, and teams. This year’s ceremony revolved around the Paris Olympic Games, where Team USA dominated with 28 medals. And that 27 includes 10 more than any other nation. However, it wasn’t just the victories but also the debacles that added intrigue to the evening. 

Amid all the glitz, glamour, and celebration, the absence of one legendary force of U.S. swimming became prominent. While the evening celebrated Huske’s remarkable achievements in Paris, the absence of Katie Ledecky sparked significant buzz. Despite her phenomenal performance in Paris, Ledecky was left out of the festivities. And this has also raised questions about the criteria that work behind the selections.

Torri Huske shines bright over Katie Ledecky as USA Swimming honors Paris heroes

Torri Huske, the 21-year-old Stanford standout, was named Female Athlete of the Year in the event. Securing five Olympic medals, including three golds and two silvers, she had been shining bright in the aquatic athletic sphere. Her electrifying 100-meter butterfly victory, clocked at 55.59 seconds, earned her the coveted Female Race of the Year honor. Huske’s performance also anchored two world-record-setting relays and solidified her place as a rising star in U.S. swimming. On the other hand, Ledecky also continued to dominate the distance freestyle events with golds in the 800m and 1500m. However, the decision to award Huske over Ledecky turned out to be a surprise.

The absence of Katie was even more notable, given her historic consistency and unparalleled Olympic pedigree. A seven-time Olympic gold medalist, Ledecky’s contributions to U.S. swimming are undoubtedly monumental. However, arguments might come up that her exclusion highlights a potential shift in focus toward younger athletes. While others might question whether flashier sprints and relays are overshadowing her dominance in longer distances. 

However, Torri Huske too stunned the world, creating ripples with her victorious feats at the Summer Olympics. Her dominance in the 100m butterfly was particularly striking, where she not only clinched gold but also bested a world-record holder, Gretchen Walsh. Going beyond the list of individual glories, Huske’s contributions to the mixed medley and women’s medley relays too have been notably powerful. Both of the team wins set world records, thus underscoring her importance as a team player who thrives in high-stakes moments.

While the spotlight was on Huske, Bobby Finke continued to shine as Male Athlete of the Year.  The phenom was celebrated for his gritty 1500m freestyle gold in Paris. Rising star Gretchen Walsh earned the Breakout Performer award after shattering her first long-course world record. The wins of Walsh and Huske are indeed signaling a generational shift in American swimming. While the absence of Katie might leave several fans and pundits divided, one thing remains clear: it was a career-defining evening for young Torri. But, amid this debacle of rivalry between the two, there lies a story that views their story from a different perspective.

How did Ledecky once shape Huske’s Olympic dream?

Long before Torri Huske etched her name among Olympic champions, she was a starry-eyed teenager, captivated by the brilliance of Katie Ledecky. Watching Ledecky dominate the swimming world from the 2012 London Olympics to her collegiate years at Stanford University, Huske found herself drawn to the aura of the sport’s most decorated female swimmer. For Huske, Ledecky wasn’t just a role model in the pool. She was the embodiment of the dreams she longed to achieve.

Torri’s journey from a young fan to an Olympic gold medalist came full circle in Paris, where she captured three golds, including her signature event, the 100-meter butterfly. As a fellow Stanford Cardinal, Huske has followed in Ledecky’s formidable footsteps, channeling the same grit and determination that made her idol a household name. Reflecting on Ledecky’s legacy, Huske revealed that it is not just her passion for swimming that was fueled by Ledecky. Her aspirations to study at Stanford too were directly inspired by watching the seven-time Olympic gold medalist shatter records and redefine excellence. 

Back in 2012, Torri has been following the rise of Ledecky. In a heartfelt conversation with Brett Hawke, Huske shared, “It would be so cool if I could be like them, you know, go to the Olympics, win gold and go to Stanford, like those were like all the things that I thought were just like the coolest things ever.” From dreaming of Olympic gold to enrolling at Ledecky’s alma mater, Huske’s journey has been one of turning admiration into action.