Keith Bell
Bell lives swimming. Having never missed a day of swim training since the 1980s, he is considered the “Father of Swimming Psychology.” He was instrumental in developing Central Texas masters as a coach and swimmer and holds 33 Masters world titles, two world records and 64 national records). His innovative thinking and expertise, as not only a sports psychologist, but an author, speaker, swimmer, coach, open water swimmer, and overall swimming enthusiast have allowed him to share unique and valuable perspectives which have impacted tens of thousands of Texas swimmers, coaches, parents and sport leaders and hundreds of thousands internationally.
Stephen “Mac” McDonald
Since the 1970s Coach McDonald has shepherded the sport of water polo in Texas and contributed nationally to the sport. He adapted the first interscholastic water polo rule book for NISCA, established the Texas Swimming Coaches Association (TISCA) Water Polo Committee and contributed heavily to the establishment of water polo as an official UIL sport. He is recognized as a five-time Texas Water Polo Coach of the Year. For his many contributions, the Houston ISD aquatic championship facility was named the McDonald Family Aquatic Center - “The Mac.”
Mark Naftanel
Naftanel started diving at age nine with the Texas Diving Club in Austin. After winning two state high school diving titles hebecame the most decorated individual athlete in Texas A&M history, winning eight Big XII titles, seven all-American citations and represented the United States on the national team. After graduating summa cum laude from A&M in 1999, Naftanel returned to Austin to train with Matt Scoggin at the University of Texas through the 2000 Olympic Trials. He then continued his education at Duke University Medical School. Soon after graduating from Duke, he married his medical school classmate, Nadia Robertson. Naftanel completed his dermatology residency at the University of Michigan in 2009, serving as chief resident in his final year. He is currently a practicing Dermatologist, having served as Chief of Dermatology in Virginia for seven years. The Naftanel’s have three children: Ella, Miles, and Carter.
Kirk Stackle
Stackle competed for the University of Texas from 1986–1990, where he became a three-time individual NCAA Champion and 14-time all-American. His proudest accomplishments were leading Texas to NCAA Team Championship victories in 1988, 1989, and serving as team captain in1990. On the international stage, he represented the United States at the 1988 Olympic Games, the 1990 Goodwill Games, and the 1991 World Championships. Today, Stackle continues to give back to the sport as a coach in the Dallas area and as the owner of Stackle Swim Technique and Training, where he works with swimmers of all ages and backgrounds — including age-group, collegiate, professional, and masters swimmers and triathletes — helping people discover a lifelong love of the water and the physical and mental health benefits it brings.
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Jeanette Chase
A lifelong Texan since 1938, Jeanette started teaching lifeguard lessons in her teens, and after watching Esther Williams’ movies fell in love with synchronized swimming. She joined the Shamrock Hilton Corkettes in 1950, perfecting her skills and receiving high awards at the national level. In 1964, Jan Armstrong, Neil Armstrong’s wife, and Jeanette began the El Lago Aquanauts Synchronized Swimming Team. Jeanette continued her key role with the Aquanauts from 1965-2017 after Jan’s departure from the sport. In her career, she participated as a synchronized swimming competitor, coach, official, show producer and judge since those early days. Jeanette served as an officer of the AAU, USSS and served as the president of the National Association of Teachers of Singing all while serving the Houston area as a previously registered nurse, music teacher, choir director, opera singer, proud mom and grandmother. Jeanette retired from the sport officially in 2021.
Wally Pryor Distinguished Team Award:
City of Plano Swimmers
Since 1971 “COPS” has been building champions and strengthening community in North Texas as a non-profit organization. COPS’ first head coach was Lee Wilson. He led the team to exceptional growth and in 1978 hired Chris McCurdy who led the team in the ‘80s and ‘90s to national prominence with numerous state and national individual and team champions. The 1990s brought Steve Mateer as coach and the team grew once again with increased presence at TAGS, Junior and Senior National Championships and Olympic Trials. In the 2000s Ted Carson led the team until his retirement in 2023. Current Head Coach Greg Davis and Executive Director Barbara Roselli now lead the team, creating champions in and out of the pool.