—Submitted photo IOWA CENTRAL’S MARIA GONCALVES won four national championships and was named the NJCAA national Scholar Swimmer of the Meet in Buffalo, N.Y.

Maria Goncalves did it all at the NJCAA championships in Buffalo, as the Iowa Central sophomore captured four national titles to earn co-swimmer of the year honors.

Goncalves brought home victories in the 50 backstroke, 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke and 50 freestyle. The sophomore recorded times of 25.68, 56.04, 2:01.81 and 23.69, respectively.

“I was feeling really confident (beforehand), but I didn’t (necessarily expect) to win four events,” Goncalves admitted. “The 50 free was kind of a surprise, and I wasn’t sure how the 200 back was going to go on the last day (of the four-day meet). I just decided I’d put everything I had into (the race), given it was my last one as a Triton.”

ICCC swim coach Tom Wyllie noted the rarity of Goncalves’ quadruple-gold achievement.

“To have a four-time national champion, especially going up against schools like Indian River (the 42-time defending title holder), is a tremendous accomplishment for our program,” Wyllie said. “We are extremely proud of her and the way she has represented Iowa Central. She’s a fantastic swimmer, student and person who is very dedicated to her craft. She puts a lot of time and energy into both the physical and mental aspect of the sport.”

Goncalves, a Dean’s List honoree who is originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, also anchored the Tritons’ third-place 4×400 freestyle relay team with a time faster than the individual 100 freestyle relay champ.

“That just speaks to her strength and versatility,” Wyllie said. “She came in with the confidence, skill set, training and will. You never know how things will go at a (championship event) like this, but it all came together and she had a fantastic meet.”

Goncalves improved her stock on the recruiting trail with her performance at nationals, according to Wyllie.

“Now that nationals are behind her, she can really focus on narrowing down her choices and making a decision (on her future),” Wyllie said. “Being co-swimmer of the meet will definitely open some more doors.”

Goncalves also captured 2023 Scholarship Swimmer of the Meet recognition. The Triton women were fourth overall, while the men took third.

“This has definitely been one of the best periods of my life,” Goncalves said of her time in Fort Dodge. “I learned how to believe in myself, gain confidence and trust the process. I was really able to change my mindset and stay positive no matter what, which has made a big difference.

“Sometimes it can be a lot, between swimming, studying and work (as a tutor on campus). But I’ve learned to manage my time and find the right balance. Academics have always been very important to me; my family always emphasized the importance of a quality education. That’s a big priority.”

Goncalves has studied criminal justice at Iowa Central. Her plan is to next swim at a four-year institution, while entering a pre-law program and eventually going to law school.

“I’ve been talking to a lot of schools and coaches since nationals,” Goncalves said. “I’m still weighing my options, both with swimming and (academics).”

As far as preferences, Goncalves laughed and added, “hopefully someplace warmer than Iowa.”