It is an honor to be here tonight and share this evening with so many talented athletes and outstanding individuals. I feel there are so many people I want to thank for their support over the years--my family, my many coaches and my teammates. I would like to dedicate this honor to my parents, Ann and John Costello. Swimming has been a part of my life since I was very young, and remains a part even today. Upon entering elementary school, during my first visit to the school nurse she discovered I had scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. Almost immediately, I found myself enrolled in swimming lessons and ballet--strict orders from Dr. Zartman as a means of strengthening muscles in my back.

Swimming won out over ballet eventually, because I found the prospect of travel more interesting. At age 8, that meant taking the eight-hour train from Anchorage to Fairbanks to compete in the Midnight Sun Swim Meet. Later, that travel included Hawaii and Venezuela with the Harvard team, and Canada and Africa as a masters swimmer.

From the early days of swimming on an age-group team, to high school competition, collegiate swimming and masters competitions, I have amassed so many wonderful memories that all come back to my involvement in the sport. Besides a debt of gratitude the sport of swimming has given my health, I also have a sense of gratitude for the sport helping guide my life, shaping friendships, providing a sense of what it means to be committed to a goal, riding out the rough days with a hope that today's tough workout will pay off in tomorrow's race. Swimming taught me the value of patience, hard work and keeping your eye on a goal.

It was an honor for me to represent Harvard as a member and co-captain of the Women's Swimming and Diving team during my years at Harvard. Besides the thrill of competing at NCAA's, I especially enjoyed being a member of the medley relay team, where fellow inductee, backstroker Sheila (Findley) Olson and I became fast friends and enjoyed hob nobbing around during the hours spent outside the pool. Our dual meets and the bus rides to them were always a source of entertainment.

Coach Maura Costin-Scalise deserves my appreciation, too. Her motto was to have the most fun and the fast times would follow. She was right--we had a great time as a team, participating in our team rituals and gatherings, making T-shirts for each other, going on holiday training trips, and spending a lot of time laughing.

She was tough, but also caring. Knowing I had come all the way from Alaska, Maura took the time my freshman year to write a note to my parents, telling them she enjoyed having me on the team. That note made its way into my scrapbook, and is a reminder that after the race is over, the lasting gains from competing are the character-building that got you there and the relationships you've formed.

Today, as my life's rhythms have changed from classes and swim practice to a career and raising a child, swimming provides a common link to all parts of my life. No matter where I go, or where I travel, there is always a pool somewhere and a lap lane that can take me back in time to those days of our polyester team warm-up, the early mornings at Blodgett and Maura's tough workouts.