LOCHTE NAMED USOC ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

The United States Olympic Committee has named Ryan Lochte Athlete of the Month for December.  Lochte capped an amazing 2010 by winning six events – 200-meter free, 200m IM, 400m IM, 100m IM, 200m back and 4x100m medley – at the FINA Short Course World Championships in Dubai, UAE Dec. 15-19.  With the relay, he broke the all-time SC Worlds medal record, and he broke world records with his wins in the 400m IM and the 200m IM, becoming the first swimmer to break an individual world record in the post high-tech suit era. He set American records in eight events (200m free, 200m back, 100m IM, 200m IM, 400m IM, 800m free relay, 400m free relay, 800m free relay). He also earned a silver medal in the 4x200m free relay. For his performance, Lochte was named best male swimmer of the championships.  Additionally, at the 2010 AT&T Short Course World Championships in Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 2-4, Lochte placed third in the 200-yard back.
 
2010 has truly been a year of honors for Lochte.  He was also named Male Swimmer of the year by FINA as well as USA Swimming's Male Athlete of the Year following dominant August performaces at the ConocoPhillips National Championships and Mutual of Omaha Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, Calif.  Lochte also took home two trpohies at the 2010 Golden Goggle Awards for Male Race of the Year (Mutual of Omaha Pan Pacific Championships 200m IM) and Male Athlete of the Year.
 
He will be competing this weekend in the Austin Grand Prix, Jan. 14-16 at the Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center on the University of Texas campus. Click  here for more information on the Austin Grand Prix and to view the live webcast.