Gulf Swimming hosted it’s 25th Annual Awards ceremony at the Westchase Marriott in Houston, Texas. The banquet intends to “celebrate outstanding performances by athletes in the previous season and recognizes volunteers and coaches for their dedication to Gulf Swimming.” Among those present at the awards ceremony were Simone Manuel and Michael McBroom, who shared his story and how it helped him become a professional athlete.
List of major award winners
- Pauline Phillips Athlete Award for Sportsmanship– Zoe Gawronska, The Woodlands Swim Club
- Bob Stallings Outstanding Officials Award– Herb Schwab
- Coach of the Year– Terry Jones, Magnolia Aquatic Club
- Phillips 66 Outstanding Service Award– Jennie Shamburger, The Woodlands Swim Club and Paige Sikkema, North Channel Aquatics
- Age Group Coach of the Year– Jason Devine, DADS Club Swim Team
At the banquet, more than 500 athletes were recognized with a level award plaque or a qualification award for their performances during the year, which includes both short course and long course seasons. Along with these award plaques, specific awards were given to clubs and individuals for different accomplishments. The Pauline Phillips Athlete Award for Sportsmanship was awarded to Zoe Gawronska of The Woodlands Swim Club. The Bob Stallings Outstanding Officials Award went to Herb Schwab. Coach of the Year went to Terry Jones, who coaches Magnolia Aquatic Club. The Phillips 66 Outstanding Service Award went two two people- Jennie Shamburger of the Woodlands Swim Team and Paige Sikkema of North Channel Aquatics.
The final award was for Age Group Coach of the Year, which went to Jason Devine of DADS Club Swim Team. This is Devine’s third Age Group Coach of the Year award, having won the award in 2012 and 2015 as well.
Gulf Swimming had 51 swimmers qualify for the 2016 Olympic Trials. Simone Manuel and Cammile Adams, both from Gulf Swimming’s LSC, competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics- Manuel won gold in the 100-meter freestyle and silver in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, and Adams placed fourth in the 200-meter butterfly.
