Swimming World Magazine 2009 American Swimmers of the Year

http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/22830.asp?q=%3Ci%3ESwimming%20World%3C/i%3E%20Names%202009%20American%20Swimmers%20of%20the%20Year

Swimming World Magazine announced its 2009 American Swimmers of the Year. The top 5 men were:

1. Michael Phelps, USA
2. Cesar Cielo, Brazil
3. Ryan Lochte, USA
4. Aaron Peirsol, USA
t5. Ryan Cochrane, Canada
t5. Eric Shanteau, USA

I did not see what the criteria was for this award, but assume it was based solely on the 2009 World Championships. If it was, then Ryan should have been ranked above Cesar Cielo. Cielo won two gold medals in Rome and set one WR. Ryan won four gold medals and set two WRs. Ryan also won a bronze.

Also, and I forgot to include this in my argument why Ryan deserved U.S. Swimmer of the Year, it cannot be emphasized enough that Ryan won the 400 IM and helped the US finish 1st in the 4x100 free relay. Ryan won golds in a sprint event and a marathon. He deserves higher than 3rd place for what he accomplished in Rome.

If the award wasn't based solely on performance in Rome, then Ryan deserved to be in 1st place for all of the reasons

Swimming World tv put up interviews of most of the swimmers who attended Golden Goggles. Unfortunately, they did not interview Ryan. Here is where the Swimming World tv interviews can be found.

http://www.swimmingworld.tv/2009-golden-goggles-archive/