Dear Santa...
Dear Santa...
By Mike Watkins//Correspondent
What did you ask Santa for this year?
New goggles? A new suit? Cap? An Olympic Trials cut? Maybe a spot on next year’s Olympic team?
Whatever your wish is this holiday season, here are some Christmas wishes from USA swimmers – past and present – as they look forward to spending time with family and friends during this very special time of year.
Ariana Kukors
My family hates me because I'm always the last person to give my list – but all I really want for Christmas is a fire crackling, a cup of something warm in my hand and the people I love around me laughing my butt off. But I'm doing a lot of traveling these days so I requested some warm gloves and scarves and travel coffee mugs (you can take the girl out of Seattle, but you can't take Seattle out of the girl).
My family hates me because I'm always the last person to give my list – but all I really want for Christmas is a fire crackling, a cup of something warm in my hand and the people I love around me laughing my butt off. But I'm doing a lot of traveling these days so I requested some warm gloves and scarves and travel coffee mugs (you can take the girl out of Seattle, but you can't take Seattle out of the girl).
Margo Geer
My Christmas wish is to get to spend some quality time with my family and friends over break.and for good health all year long!
My Christmas wish is to get to spend some quality time with my family and friends over break.and for good health all year long!
Chuck Katis
To work some magic in the pool for the United States.
To work some magic in the pool for the United States.
Lisa Bratton
I would have to say my Christmas wish for 2016 is for a healthy start to the year for all.
I would have to say my Christmas wish for 2016 is for a healthy start to the year for all.
Adam Ritter
My Christmas wish this year – if I am indeed on the "nice" list – is for a white Christmas when I go back home to Ohio! I don't get to see much snow here in Florida.
My Christmas wish this year – if I am indeed on the "nice" list – is for a white Christmas when I go back home to Ohio! I don't get to see much snow here in Florida.
Emily Brunemann
My Christmas wish is that my family and friends are happy and healthy as well as Michael and I ending our swimming careers with smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts!
My Christmas wish is that my family and friends are happy and healthy as well as Michael and I ending our swimming careers with smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts!
Catherine Breed
My Christmas wish is fairly simple; to have a good year, to have a smooth and rewarding transition into this new phase of my life. And for my family to continue growing together, building each other up and supporting each other.
My Christmas wish is fairly simple; to have a good year, to have a smooth and rewarding transition into this new phase of my life. And for my family to continue growing together, building each other up and supporting each other.
Lauren Perdue
My wish is for the Virginia women's swim team (my alma mater) to continue to be dominant in the ACC as well as in the NCAA this season. GO HOOS!
My wish is for the Virginia women's swim team (my alma mater) to continue to be dominant in the ACC as well as in the NCAA this season. GO HOOS!
Catherine Vogt
Clean water in Rio and health and happiness this year!
Ryan Murphy
Clean water in Rio and health and happiness this year!
Ryan Murphy
My Christmas wish is to have a good time with family and friends. My brother, sister and I don't get to visit home too often, so Christmas is always our time to catch up.
Peter Vanderkaay
My Christmas wish for 2016 is for Team USA to dominate in Rio! How's that?!
My Christmas wish for 2016 is for Team USA to dominate in Rio! How's that?!
Gary Hall Jr.
Christmas Wish 2016: money. Loads and loads of money.
Christmas Wish 2016: money. Loads and loads of money.
Annie Grevers
My wish for the swimming community – that everyone enduring Christmas training can find a way to mentally embrace the depletion and recognize that someday they'll miss the endorphin rush of a productive training session! And will actually have to watch what they eat over the holidays!
My wish for the swimming community – that everyone enduring Christmas training can find a way to mentally embrace the depletion and recognize that someday they'll miss the endorphin rush of a productive training session! And will actually have to watch what they eat over the holidays!
On a deeper note-- that swimmers might appreciate the exceptionality of the swimming community. A group of humble, driven, committed people trying to draw out every ounce of their God-given potential. Thank your teammates, coaches, parents and officials for making this sport unlike any other.
Katie Ledecky
Peace on Earth and good tidings to all. That everyone have lots of joy, love and laughs this Christmas and beyond, and a Happy New Year, too.
Peace on Earth and good tidings to all. That everyone have lots of joy, love and laughs this Christmas and beyond, and a Happy New Year, too.
Bruce Gemmell
I'm just wishing for good health for family and friends. That and a drug-free swimming world.
I'm just wishing for good health for family and friends. That and a drug-free swimming world.
Jessica Hardy
My Christmas wishes for 2016 are health, happiness and success. It may sound generic, but with those three things, my life is complete.
My Christmas wishes for 2016 are health, happiness and success. It may sound generic, but with those three things, my life is complete.
Lindsay Vrooman
I'd say my biggest wish is for my parents to finally get a puppy! We haven't had one since I was in high school, and I really miss coming home to a dog. Maybe I should have just got them one – then, they'd have no choice!!
I'd say my biggest wish is for my parents to finally get a puppy! We haven't had one since I was in high school, and I really miss coming home to a dog. Maybe I should have just got them one – then, they'd have no choice!!
Mel Monroe Stewart
World peace...and fast swimming – and for Olympic fever to be high, but not too high. I don't know if my heart can take the stress. Next year is going to be a go-go-go year!
World peace...and fast swimming – and for Olympic fever to be high, but not too high. I don't know if my heart can take the stress. Next year is going to be a go-go-go year!
Leila Vaziri
My Christmas wish would be for an afternoon of content on Christmas day – allowing day-to-day stresses to melt away and just enjoying the moment, of being surrounded by my family, healthy, happy and grateful for all 2015. I'd wish this content moment into existence. Happy Holidays!
My Christmas wish would be for an afternoon of content on Christmas day – allowing day-to-day stresses to melt away and just enjoying the moment, of being surrounded by my family, healthy, happy and grateful for all 2015. I'd wish this content moment into existence. Happy Holidays!
Claire Donahue
My Christmas wish is to have a big snowy Christmas eve. One of my favorite memories as a kid was to go sledding for hours, then come inside and drink hot chocolate. Unfortunately, in TN it's supposed supposed to be in the 70s, so the odds of that happening are slim to none. A girl can dream though!
