The Aquatic Capital of America hosted its annual Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet on Tuesday night at the Long Beach Yacht Club, inducting four members into its 2026 Hall of Fame class while presenting several awards recognizing local aquatic talent.
Aquatic Capital of America 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees
Stesha Carle, Rowing
Wilson graduate Stesha Carle began her rowing career as a child with the Long Beach Rowing Association and was selected to represent the USA by the time she graduated from high school. Carle went on to row at Michigan, where she finished in the top three twice at the NCAA Rowing Championships.
Carle also won gold in three different boats at the 2014 U.S. Championships. Throughout her career, Carle represented the USA on six World Championship teams: 2005 (gold), 2006 (fourth), 2008 (silver), 2009 (silver), 2010 (fifth), and 2011 (silver).
Howard Hamlin, Sailing
Howard has enjoyed a successful sailing career, winning four World Championships across multiple sailboat classes, including one in the 505 class, one in the International 14 class in 2006, and two in the 18-foot Skiff class.
Howard has won numerous National and North American Championships, including back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025. He has also claimed six San Francisco International titles and six European Championships. This past summer, Howard finished second at the World Championships and won both the French and British Championships.
Cathy Ferguson, Swimming
Former Long Beach State coach Cathy Ferguson claimed two Olympic gold medals during her swimming career at the 1964 Games in Tokyo, winning the 100-meter backstroke and 400-meter medley relay.
Ferguson set five world records and 10 American records during her swimming career. In 1965, she was named World Swimmer of the Year for the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke. She was later inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Long Beach State Hall of Fame in 1987.
Rich Foster, Aquatics
Rich Foster is a former president of the ACOA and served as a board member of the United States Olympic Committee, as well as president of USA Water Polo for 12 years. He also served as vice chair of the FINA Water Polo Committee (now World Aquatics) and chaired the 2004 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Long Beach.
Foster also maintains a sports law practice and has represented numerous Olympic champions across multiple sports. In addition, he authored and published a 2008 biography of Olympic swimming legend Mark Spitz. Foster has also made an impact locally in Long Beach, teaching a sports law course in Long Beach State’s Master of Science in Sport Management program.
Aquatic Capital of America 2026 Awards
High School Achievement Award – Lucas Jue
Long Beach Poly swimmer Lucas Jue had one of the best swimming careers in recent local history, claiming a state championship in the 500-yard freestyle while breaking a 51-year-old record by four seconds. Jue also reached the state finals in the 100-yard breaststroke before beginning his collegiate career at Louisville this year.
Outstanding Achievement Award – Jon McMullen, Brandon Samaniego, Stephanie McGee, Savannah Plaskon
Jon McMullen, Brandon Samaniego, and Stephanie McGee receive the Outstanding Achievement Award for their accomplishments in the Catalina Channel Swim. McMullen completed the swim in 13 hours and 53 minutes, McGee in 9 hours and 40 minutes, and Samaniego in 9 hours and 22 minutes. Savannah Plaskon is also being recognized for her Masters world record in the 50-meter butterfly.
Organization of the Year – LB Grunions
The Long Beach Grunions are a civic-minded masters swim club that provides funding to other charitable organizations and provides free swim lessons to adults in underserved areas. They were recently named the United States Masters Swimming National Club of the Year.
Coach of the Year – Kristin Barth-Kredell
Kristin Barth-Kredell is the head swimming coach at Wilson High School and has taught countless children how to swim while also training elite athletes at Shore Aquatics. Barth-Kredell has led Wilson to five consecutive Moore League swimming championships.
Lenny Arkinstall Community Service Award – Bill Eldon
Bill Eldon has dedicated decades to rowing at the Long Beach Rowing Association and has been pivotal in keeping the Learn to Row program afloat. He currently serves as chief referee at junior, collegiate, and national regattas and is a top contender for selection as a referee at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Tom Shadden Citizen of the Year Award – Adam Alexander Lucero Luco
Adam Alexander Lucero Luco has lent a helping hand at everything from Naples Island Swims and Olympic Swim Clinics to the LBCC Masters Relay Meet and Waterproof Our Youth program. He’s also a dependable kayaker for Catalina Channel crossings, having made three trips this year to support his teammates.
Master’s Athlete of the Year – Steve Munatones
Steve Munatones has spent decades promoting open-water swimming, founding Open Water Swimming magazine while playing a key role in helping the sport become an Olympic event. In July, Steve completed an 80K swim around Shodoshima Island in Japan, averaging 10K per day despite difficult conditions.
Dick Miller Waterman of the Year – Keith Ives
Keith Ives is a respected member of the Long Beach sailing community who has represented the city at the highest level. Ives won his second United States Sailing Championship of Champions title last year and has also claimed multiple club championships.
Athlete of the Year – Hank Wise
Hank Wise holds the all-time record for the most Catalina Channel crossings with 11 successful swims, including three during the summer of 2026. He also holds the world record for the fastest male swim from Catalina Island to the mainland, completing the crossing in 7 hours, 55 minutes, and 6 seconds.
