AUSTIN, Texas (March 20, 2019) – Two Panthers represent FIU at the 2019 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, hosted by the University of Texas at the Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, with the pair beginning their trek on Thursday, March 21.
The NCAAs go through March 20-23, with FIU's Maha Gouda and Naomi Ruele not set to compete until Thursday, March 21 at 5 p.m. ET. Gouda will take part in the 1-meter and the platform diving events throughout the week, while Ruele will compete in three different events during the championships with the 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle.
"Having a senior and freshman duo at the NCAA's is an exciting mix," said FIU Head Coach Randy Horner, "Naomi has made the trip four times and will have the opportunity to share her experience with Maha, who has experience on the international stage."
Experience at the NCAA's, though new and unique to Gouda, is second nature for Ruele who will appear in her fourth-straight NCAA competition.
Despite being in a new setting and wearing different colors, competing at a major event is all too familiar for Ruele and Gouda. Before they were teammates at FIU, they competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio; Gouda with Egypt and Ruele competing for Botswana. This time they will wear the same colors, support one school and have the same goal that is certainly within reach.
Much like their paths to the Olympics, their NCAA qualifying marks occurred differently.
The rookie Gouda punched her ticket to the championships at the NCAA Dive Zone Qualifying competition last week. On the second day, she notched a score of 566.30 from the 1-meter and earned her first spot. The freshman followed that performance by winning the platform qualifying round on the final day, posting a score of 585.10 and earning Gouda her second invitation.
The Conference USA Championships served as the qualifying competition for Ruele, after she took gold in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke. Her time of 48.45 in the 100m freestyle served as a meet record at the C-USA Championships.
The swimming and diving competition begins on Wednesday, March 20 at 5 p.m. ET. Gouda and Ruele will make their first appearances on Thursday, March 21 when Gouda takes part in the 1-meter and Ruele in the 100 Backstroke.
FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
TRIALS - THURSDAY 9 a.m.
200-yard Freestyle Relay
500-yard Freestyle
200-yard Individual Medley
50-yard Freestyle
400-yard Medley Relay
One-meter Diving — Trials
FINALS - THURSDAY 5 p.m.
200-yard Freestyle Relay
500-yard Freestyle
200-yard Individual Medley
50-yard Freestyle
One-meter Diving — Finals
400-yard Medley Relay
TRIALS - FRIDAY 9 a.m.
400-yard Individual Medley
100-yard Butterfly
200-yard Freestyle
100-yard Breaststroke
100-yard Backstroke
200-yard Medley Relay
Three-meter Diving — Trials
FINALS - FRIDAY 5 p.m.
400-yard Individual Medley
100-yard Butterfly
200-yard Freestyle
100-yard Breaststroke
100-yard Backstroke
Three-meter Diving — Finals
200-yard Medley Relay
TRIALS - SATURDAY 9 a.m.
200-yard Backstroke
100-yard Freestyle
200-yard Breaststroke
200-yard Butterfly
400-yard Freestyle Relay
Platform Diving — Trials
1,650-yard Freestyle — All but last heat of timed finals
FINALS - SATURDAY 5 p.m.
1,650-yard Freestyle — Last heat of timed finals
200-yard Backstroke
100-yard Freestyle
200-yard Breaststroke
200-yard Butterfly
Platform Diving — Finals
400-yard Freestyle Relay
CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
NCAA
LIVE RESULTS – D1 CHAMPS
LIVE STREAM
NCAA COVERAGE
ESPN will provide live linear coverage for both Friday and Saturday finals on ESPNU, as well as digital coverage on ESPN3 for Wednesday and Thursday evening finals. All sessions not part of ESPN's broadcasts will be streamed live on the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships microsite at https://texassports.com/.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following on Twitter (@FIUSwimDive), Facebook (@FIUSwimmingandDiving) and on Instagram (@FIU_Swim_Dive). General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram
