MIAMI (April 25, 2019) - She was the only freshman in her final at the NCAA Championships. That was no matter. Maha Gouda had already been on the big stage before.

A 2016 Olympian, her experience competing against the best propelled her to an eighth place finish in the platform dive, becoming the youngest All-American in FIU diving history. 

"It felt so good," said Gouda, reflecting on her freshman campaign. "From the beginning of the season, I was consistent in all competitions. I was so happy. I didn't feel bad about any competition."

"Maha did what she came here to do and did it well," said Head Diving Coach Rio Ramirez, just two years removed from coaching his last All-American in the event, Rebecca Quesnel in 2017. "Making a final as a freshman and diving with more experienced divers in this arena is a great accomplishment."

Gouda capped a sensational first year in Miami in Austin at the NCAA Championships, adding to what was already a decorated resume when she entered the program. Grand Prixs, World Championships, and the Olympic Games in Rio highlighted her background. Yet her first championships will stand out in the perspective of her accomplishments. 

"NCAAs was really a unique experience for me," said Gouda. "Being top eight - that was so fun. I had so much fun sharing the moment with Naomi Ruele too."

The final meet of the season followed the C-USA Championships, where FIU has become somewhat of a dynasty in conference competition, having earned their fifth-straight team title this past spring. 

"In diving, we were so focused on getting first, second, third, fourth, fifth, so we could get more points. Rio helped us so much to go and believe in us. We worked so hard. It was an honor to be on this team."

FIU swim & dive has an Olympic presence on the roster - Gouda's teammate, Naomi Ruele, also competed in 2016 for Botswana. The memories and moments of that experience are not lost on Gouda. 

"When we went for opening ceremonies, or walking the Olympic Village - there were so many famous people from so many sports from all the countries. I was so happy to take pictures with them. Opening ceremonies was so good. All the people looking at us. And then, training with the best divers in the world. It was such a great experience I learned from a lot." 

The ESPN broadcast of the NCAA Championships summated Gouda's potential, after the lone freshman held her own against the best in the country. 

"I would expect to see her back again, and getting better. When you're the only freshman, you know that you've got a lot of things to work on...and you have more time than anybody else."

"Expect to see her again. Bright future for Maha Gouda."

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