IU swimmer Lilly King was awarded the USA Swimming Golden Goggle Award for Breakout Performer of the Year Monday at the New York Marriott Marquis.
King earned the award after her impressive performance at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. During the 31st Olympiad, King took home Team USA’s first 100-meter breaststroke gold medal since 2000, winning the event in an Olympic record time of 1:04.93. She won a second gold as a part of the 4x100-meter relay team.
“Just wanted to thank my parents and my coaches and all my teammates for believing in me, even when I maybe made crazy comments about making an Olympic team when I have no business making an Olympic team," King said at the ceremony. "AKA, about a year and a half ago.”
Two other Hoosiers were also up for awards last night.
IU alumnus Cody Miller was nominated for Breakout Performer of the Year after he won bronze in the 100-meter breaststroke and gold in the 4x100-meter medley relay in in Rio, and IU head swimming coach Ray Looze was up for Coach of the Year after his time as an assistant coach for Team USA at the Olympics.
The Hoosiers will have a little time off over Thanksgiving break before some swimmers and divers will compete at the USA Swimming Winter Nationals, and the rest partake in the Miami (OH) Invitational.
Ben Portnoy
