Michael Phelps may have had an off-year but all things are relative for a man who still managed to top the 100m free world ranks until Brent Hayden's sub-48sec blast in Delhi at Commonwealth Games: Phelps is nominated for USA male athlete of the year and race of the year and has a stake relay and coaching (Bob Bowman) nominations.

The man likely to top him in at least one category is Ryan Lochte, who leads the nominations for the 2010 USA Swimming Foundation Golden Goggle Awards, to be held November 22 at the New York Marriott Marquis at the heart of Times Square, New York City. A total of eight Golden Goggle awards will be presented. 

On the men's side, Nathan Adrian, double sprint winner at Pan Pacs, joins Lochte and Phelps on the best male shortlist, while  the women's title is contested by Elizabeth Beisel, Natalie Coughlin, Rebeca Soni (surely the favourite) and Dana Vollmer.

The complete list of 2010 awards and nominees are as follows:

Breakout Performer of the Year

• Teresa Crippen 
• Eva Fabian        
• Missy Franklin              
• David Plummer                                                

Perseverance Award

• Amanda Beard
• Tyler Clary
• Jessica Hardy  
• Kate Ziegler

Coach of the Year

• Bob Bowman (Phelps)
• Dave Durden (Adrian)
• Teri McKeever (Coughlin)
• Dave Salo (Soni)
• Gregg Troy (Lochte)

Relay Performance of the Year

• Men’s 4 x 100 Free Relay (Pan Pacific Championships)
• Women’s 4 x 100 Free Relay (Pan Pacific Championships)
• Men’s 4 x 200 Free Relay (Pan Pacific Championships)
• Women’s 4 x 100 Medley Relay (Pan Pacific Championships

Race of the Year - Women

• Natalie Coughlin, 100m Free (Pan Pacific Championships)  
• Allison Schmitt, 200m Free (Pan Pacific Championships)
• Kate Ziegler, 800m Free (Pan Pacific Championships)
• Rebecca Soni, 200m Breast (Pan Pacific Championships)

Race of the Year - Men

• Nathan Adrian, 50m Free (Pan Pacific Championships)
• Ryan Lochte, 200m IM (Pan Pacific Championships)
• Michael Phelps, 100m Fly (Pan Pacific Championships)

Female Athlete of the Year

• Elizabeth Beisel
• Natalie Coughlin
• Rebeca Soni    
• Dana Vollmer   

Male Athlete of the Year

• Nathan Adrian  
• Ryan Lochte
• Michael Phelps