BONGANI MALUNGA
Botswana’s first ever Olympic swimming participant, Naomi Ruele, has continued her excellent college sports form as she helped Florida International University (FIU) win yet another conference title. Her college has recorded a historic feat by winning five consecutive Conference-USA Championship (C-USA) titles.
Ruele won the 100m freestyle at the competition in Atlanta, Georgia last week. She won the 100m freestyle with a time of 48.45 and earned a B standard grading for the upcoming NCAA Championships, which is the biggest stage in college sports.
Her grading will see her participate in the NCAA once again and aim to win her first title in that stage. She was also a part of the relay team which won another gold medal as she teamed up with Helga Fodor, Megan Bowen and Sara Gytertyanffy to help FIU make a podium finish.
Ruele has made a large contribution to FIU’s recent success in the C-USA Championship, in her first year (2016) she was named the Swimmer of the Meet as she won seven medals in the competition. In 2017 she was at her best again as she set multiple records in the competition, dominating in various categories.