Atlanta Swim Association had 129 teams this year. Each year, ASA makes a point to recognize excellent coaches with the Coach of the Year award. This year, this award is being named the Thomas Benefield Coach of the Year award. As it was introduced on Friday evening, this award is presented to a coach who excels in encouraging good sportsmanship, helping swimmers improve technically, and supporting other coaches and teams in the league.

ASA begins discussing these awards with organization meetings mentioning to parent reps, volunteer coordinators, and basically everyone who sits on an ASA meeting about how to nominate good coaches for this award as early as February. There is a strong focus on sportsmanship and the mission of Summer League swimming.

We are so excited to announce that Coach Anna Almstedt has been named as one of the recipients for this award for 2025! ASA recognized her at the Championship Meet @ Georgia Tech on Friday evening.

Any parent who made a comment, or sent an email or text about coach Anna this season, many of your comments were included as quotes in our nominating letter for coach Anna so thank you for the positive feedback and helping make this letter writing an easy task. Anna has truly exemplified the principals of ASA and Summer League that strives to focus on Sportsmanship, Team Work, Goal setting, and Community.

Congratulations again to Coach Anna Almstedt, ASA Coach of the Year 2025!