DALLAS (April 2, 2020) -  For the third-straight season, the FIU swimming and diving team dominated the Conference USA superlative awards, as the Panthers claimed all five of the postseason individual honors to cap the 2019-20 campaign.

The C-USA honorees, which were announced by the league office on Thursday, were Jasmine Nocentini (Co-Swimmer of the Year and Freshman Swimmer of the Year), Maha Gouda (Diver of the Year), Mandy Song (Freshman Diver of the Year) and Julia Miranda (Newcomer of the Year). 

The honors come on the heels of FIU's sixth-straight C-USA title as the Panthers broke the league record for most consecutive wins. The six-straight titles also rank as the most in a row by any athletic program in FIU history. The Panthers finished with an 8-3 mark overall in dual meets, while finishing second at the shortened National Invitational Championship in early March. 

"Our ladies being selected for all of these awards is a reflection on the entire team," Head Coach Randy Horner said. "The supportive environment and family culture has created the environment that makes this level of achievement possible."

Nocentini, who joined the Panthers in January, was quick to make waves with FIU, earning Co-Swimmer of the Year and Freshman Swimmer of the Year. 

"Jasmine had so many adjustments to make in training, school and life in general coming to FIU in December," said Horner. "She adjusted extremely well and had a great spring. I think Jasmine has a lot more to give and we are excited for her next years at FIU."

Nocentini won six gold medals at the C-USA Championships while setting a new lifetime-best record of 22.23 in the 100 free event. She also tied FIU's freshman record in the 50 free with Olympian Naomi Ruele. Nocentini was tabbed to the All-Conference First Team for the 50 free, 100 free, 200 medley relay, 200 free relay, 400 free relay and 800 free relay. In addition to her success at the conference championships, Nocentini was the only C-USA swimmer to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

Gouda was recognized as the Diver of the Year for the second-straight season, as the sophomore continued her successful collegiate career at FIU. 

"Maha had an amazing year," said Horner. "She not only continued to be a rock that our team can always rely on, but she handled the pressure of Olympic qualification in December while maintaining a 4.0 GPA."

Over the winter break, Gouda qualified for the 2020 Olympics with her performance in the 10-meter event at the African Games and claimed the Best Diver Cup to add to her trophy case. The Panther also won gold in the platform and silver in the 3-meter at the C-USA Championships in February, before qualifying for the NCAA Championships in the platform, 1-meter and 3-meter. In addition to her success in the pool, Gouda landed on the C-USA All-Academic team as well. 

After her stellar first year with the Panthers, Song was awarded the Freshman Diver of the Year. 

"Mandy is the real deal. I think we have only scratched the surface of what she is capable of her next years at FIU," said Horner.

Song won a pair of gold medals at the C-USA Championships in the 1-meter and 3-meter events, while winning bronze in the platform. Song set a new meet record with her 334.45 score from the 1-meter at the league championships. The freshman qualified for the NCAA Championships alongside Gouda, after Song won the 1-meter event at the NCAA Dive Zone competition. 

After transferring from West Virginia and taking the league by storm, Miranda was tabbed Newcomer of the Year. 

"It has been a pleasure to watch Julia thrive at FIU," said Horner. "She came to us last year looking for a fresh opportunity. She took full advantage and has become a leader in our program in and out of the pool."

Miranda won four gold medals at the C-USA Championships in the 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay, 400 free relay and 200 back. She also took home a silver medal in the 100 back at the league championships after setting a new personal-best time of 54.02 which also ranks as the fourth-fastest in program history.  

SOCIAL MEDIA
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2019-20 C-USA SWIMMING AND DIVING SUPERLATIVE AWARDS

Co-Swimmer of the Year: Jasmine Nocentini, FIU
Co-Swimmer of the Year: Marta Cano-Minnaro, Rice
Freshman Swimmer of the Year: Jasmine Nocentini, FIU
Diver of the Year: Maha Gouda, FIU
Freshman Diver of the Year: Mandy Song, FIU
Newcomer of the Year: Julia Miranda, FIU