Interviews of all the Big Swimming Names

In case you were busy focusing on the up comingThanksgiving meal & break, but USA Swimming held its anual Golden Goggle Awards.

Ryan Lochte beat out superstars to be named Male swimmer of the year Sunday at USA Swimming's Golden Goggles awards.


Rebecca Soni nabbed female swimmer of the year honors, while Michael Phelps, who earned a leading six nominations, was honored for delivering the men's race of the year and for a world championship relay performance.

Lochte ended MichaelPhelps' two-year reign as male swimmer of the year, thanks to world record-setting triumphs in the 200m individual medley and 4x200m freestyle relay at the world championships in Rome.

In a true testament that competition drives development, Lochte said. "Aaron Peirsol and Michael Phelps, you guys have pushed me to limits I didn't even know, and I wouldn't be here without you."

Lochte also shared the relay performance of the year award, for the 4x100m free relay in Rome in which he, Phelps, Matt Grevers and Nathan Adrian defeated Russia as favorites France flopped.

Phelps was honored for his 100m butterfly triumph in Rome. He passed right through the 50-second barrier with a time of 49.82sec and handed Milorad Cavic a bigger defeat than the Beijing Olympics.

If you want to see or share with friends or your kids what som eof teh USA swimming stars look like in something other than suits and goggles, watch their interviews on the red carpet. Go to   http://www.swimnetwork.com/event/detail/20091027/2009_golden_goggles-2375.html