The Aquatic Capital of America has announced that it is inducting eight members into the Long Beach Aquatic Hall of Fame. Olympians Tony Azevedo and Jessica Hardy will highlight this fifth class that includes Ricardo Azevedo, Micki King, Todd Smith, Takako “Tk” Kimura, Karen McCloskey and Jim Montrella.
The Aquatic Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner will be on September 7th at Pete Archer Rowing Center. CLICK HERE to buy tickets for the event. Dinner will be served by Naples Rib Company. The Master of Ceremonies will be Olympian John Naber.
Tony Azevedo, a Wilson High alum, is a five-time Olympian (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016) who won a silver medal in 2008 and ranks fourth on the all-time scoring list in Olympic history. He won four CIF championships at Wilson and two NCAA National Championships at Stanford. Through his 6-8 Sports and his nonprofit, the Azevedo Aquatics Foundation, Azevedo is currently focused on increasing opportunities in water polo.
Jessica Hardy Meichtry is an Olympic swimmer who broke the National High School record in the 100 yard breaststroke while at Wilson High. She was a four time NCAA Division 1 Champion at Cal and qualified for 2012 Olympics where she won a bronze medal in the 4×100 meter freestyle relay and a gold medal in the 4×100 medley relay.
Ricardo Azevedo is a water polo player and coach who won championships at Long Beach City College, Long Beach State and Wilson High. He also coached internationally and led the China women’s national team through the 2026 Olympics.
Micki King is an Olympic diver who credits Glenn McCormick, renowned Long Beach diving coach, with training her for the 1972 Olympics where she won a gold medal in the three-meter event in Munich.
Todd Smith is also a diver and administrator. He was a three-time NCAA All-American and a 1972 NCAA National Champion at Ohio State on the 1-meter springboard. Smith also served as the Executive Director of USA Diving for 27 years.
Takako “Tk” Kimura is a Dragon Boat paddler and coach who began paddling to build her upper body strength after breast cancer treatment.
Karen McCloskey Keehn is a groundbreaking rower who won LBRA’s first women’s championship medal with Joan Lind, and one the first women to compete in Olympic rowing in 1976.
Jim Montrella, a graduate of Long Beach City College and Long Beach State, is one of the most respected swim coaches in the United States.
