Magali Mouton's final few weeks at Iowa Central featured many firsts.
Mouton became the first-ever female to win a national title for the Triton swim programming. She eventually finished off her national championships with three gold medals to her credit.
Now, Mouton has done it again, becoming the first swimmer to win the school's outstanding female athlete award.
Mouton swept the breaststroke events in Florida, claiming the 50, 100 and 200 races in convincing fashion. She became the fifth female to ever win at least three races at nationals from schools other than Indian River.
Mouton recorded winning times of 29.99 (50 breaststroke), 1:03.91 (100 breaststroke) and 2:20.54 (200 breaststroke) at nationals while competing against the best of the best. All three of those times rank No. 1 in their respective events in Iowa Central program history.
She was also part of runner-up finishes for Iowa Central in the 200 freestyle relay and 200 medley relay. The medley also set a new school-record in 1:51.22 at nationals with Mouton, Lily Wright, Shannon Murphy and Emily Small.
"It's really great for Magali after all her hard work and winning three national titles to not only be our first female national champion but also now our first Iowa Central athlete of the year," Triton head coach Joe Plane said. "Being in the best athletic department in the country, this award means just that much more. When you look at all the great athletes Iowa Central has across all our sports, it's truly a great honor."
The award has been handed out annually since 1990.
-By Dana Becker